Bomb call evacuates students
Two calls to high school in police probe
HARRISTOWN State High School seniors sitting their QCS exams were among hundreds of students evacuated after two bomb threats yesterday.
Police are investigating the two calls an “unidentified male” made to the school reception about 1.15pm, threatening a bomb would detonate at 2pm.
Staff and students were evacuated to two school ovals while police searched the campus for any suspicious devices.
Police have warned of serious penalties as investigations continue.
HARRISTOWN State High School seniors sitting their QCS exams were among hundreds of students evacuated after two bomb threats yesterday.
The anonymous calls by an “unidentified male caller” told a school receptionist a bomb would detonate on the grounds at 2pm.
The first call was received at 1.15pm, with the second just minutes later.
Darling Downs Acting Superintendent Stephen Angus said the threat was treated seriously with the school phoning police who helped with evacuation protocols.
“Students and staff were safely evacuated to two separate ovals and police attended in number and undertook a systematic search of the school and grounds, failing to locate any suspicious device,” he said.
“At the conclusion of the search by police, the school was returned back to normal at 2.45pm.
“Investigations are ongoing in an attempt to identify the suspect.”
Acting Supt. Angus said both calls were made by a male but it was unclear if they were a student. He praised the school for its rapid actions evacuating students and staff to the ovals.
He said threatening phone calls and bomb hoaxes were treated seriously by police “because it poses a serious risk of harm or death to the students and the teaching staff ”.
“Calls such as that, hoax or otherwise, cause serious disruption of the school or location, and has a significant financial cost involved,” he said.
“During the time the searches were being undertaken, teaching doesn’t proceed and teachers and students are stood down.”
Education Queensland was contacted for comment.