44 Pupils Collapse At A Ripon School

11 November 2015, 16:11 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

44 pupils have fallen ill at a secondary school in North Yorkshire.

The Ambulance Service has confirmed they've treated around 40 pupils for sickness and dizziness at Outwood Academy School in Ripon.

It's thought the students started to display symptoms at around 11am.

It is not yet known what caused the students to fall ill, although it's alleged to have happened during an Armistice Day silence.

Some pupils have told us the school hall where it was being held was very hot.

A police spokeswoman said:
"Approximately 27 students have been affected who have displayed signs of sickness and feeling faint. Some have been attended to by paramedics at the scene and others have been taken to hospital.

At this stage it is not known what has caused the students to fall ill and officers are working with the fire service to establish what has caused the incident.

Not all pupils went to hospital. At this stage we are aware of just two who have attended hospital or a local medical facility, the rest have been treated at the scene by ambulance staff."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said specialist hazardous materials officers are at the school.

They said:
"North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 12.21pm to reports of a number of pupils feeling unwell at the Outwood Academy in Ripon.

Crews from Ripon and Boroughbridge are at the scene alongside hazardous materials specialist officers.

A specialist detection, identification and monitoring team from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is also at the incident.

A number of students have been affected who have displayed signs of sickness and feeling faint. Some have been attended to by paramedics at the scene and others have been taken to hospital.

We are working with colleagues from North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service at this time to determine what has caused this occurrence.''
 
The school itself declined to comment when contacted.