Students treated for pepper-spray blast on bus, officials say

Students bound for Independence Elementary School were treated after a student sprayed pepper spray on a school bus in Orange County early Tuesday, officials said.

According to the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office, a 7-yearold student had been given the pepper spray by a parent for selfdefense. It was another student who sprayed it, officials said, causing 10 students to feel ill.

Orange County deputies and Orange County Fire Rescue were called to Summerlake Park Boulevard and Reams Road, in southwest Orange County near Dr. Phillips, and began decontaminating and treating the students hit by the spray.

Ultimately, all 10 students were released to their parents. None were hospitalized, officials said. The incident happened about 8:30 a.m.

“Pepper spray carried by a student onto the bus was unfortunately deployed,” Principal Angela Osborne said in a recorded call to parents. She said she and the assistant principal had gone to the scene to assist the students. Another bus took unaffected students to school, Osborne said.

“As always, the safety of our students and staff is always a priority,” she said.

Jane Watrel, Orange County sheriff’s spokeswoman, said no criminal charges are expected.

“It appears to be accidental,” she said.

However, a spokeswoman for Orange County Public Schools said discipline is possible. Possessing pepper spray falls under the most serious category of violations under the district’s student conduct code, which are punishable by expulsion.