Panic at school as pupils faint in assembly

A REMEMBRANCE service at a secondary school triggered a major incident yesterday when approximately 40 pupils became ill, with two taken to hospital.

The 11am assembly was interrupted at Outwood Academy in Ripon, North Yorks, as about half a dozen children began to feel faint and sick during the two-minute silence. It is claimed that a number of pupils then suffered panic attacks.

Firemen and paramedics were sent to the school amid initial fears that a gas leak or hazardous substance had triggered the illness.

Nicky Morgan, the Education Secretary, was kept briefed on the incident, even though firemen later concluded the youngsters had “just fainted”.

A fire brigade officer said the incident was caused by pupils “overheating”.

Dave Winspear, the station manager, said: “We have found no hazardous materials or anything untoward in the school environment. We are of the view the children just fainted and there was a ripple effect throughout the school.

“More children felt anxiety and started to feel concerned and the thing has escalated.”

One pupil said: “When the first boy was sick, we thought it was a one-off, but then

‘More children felt anxiety and started to feel concerned and the thing escalated’

there was a big slap on the floor and someone had fainted.

“After that it was a bit of a domino effect, another three or four collapsed and then people started leaving the hall to get fresh air.

“After that they ushered us out quickly and a couple of girls had panic attacks.”

The pupil said lessons went ahead as normal during the afternoon but more students complained of headaches and feeling sick.