School investigating after pupils injured in gate crush
PUPILS were trampled on the ground and left injured when a school gate failed to open at the end of the day. Gordano School, in Portishead, said that the incident occurred on Monday, and that it is investigating the cause.
When the gate didn’t open, a large number of pupils attempted to push through, causing the crush.
A number of children were knocked to the ground as youngsters surged forward. Videos of the incident have been shared widely on social media.
Dozens of children appear to be caught up in the melee, many shouting and screaming amid the chaos. Footage shows many on the floor unable to get up and being trampled by others attempting to push through the crowd of bodies at the school gate.
One child revealed he suffered two black eyes ‘from other students’ shoes,’ the BBC reports. Headteacher Louise Blundell said pupils were being supported and a “whole school online broadcast” to address what happened was taking place.
She told the BBC: “There was an incident at one of our exit gates, when a gate was not opened in time for the end of the day. This resulted in a surge of students trying to leave the school site, which led to some pupils being injured.
“Staff were immediately on the scene and several students visited the school’s first aider before going home. This morning we have been reviewing the situation as well as offering support to students and running an additional whole school online broadcast to address what happened.
“The safety and wellbeing of students is of the upmost importance to Gordano School, and we will continue to investigate what happened and update the school community in due course.”