A bus driver is under investigation after more than a dozen children were rushed to hospital after eating candy laced with a “white substance” allegedly handed to them by the driver.
A crime scene has been set up at Bluewater State School in Townsville, Queensland, after 22 school-age children fell ill after eating the sweets.
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal pain after they fell ill shortly after arriving at school.
Queensland Ambulance said they were called to the school around 10am and treated several children for “minor symptoms of illness after they reportedly ingested an unknown substance”.
At 4:30 p.m., 14 children required hospital treatment, ranging in age from seven to 11 years.
The toxicology reports to be released today will form a vital part of the investigation.
A Queensland bus driver is under investigation because 22 children fell ill after eating popsicles laced with a ‘white substance’ allegedly delivered by the driver.
Local Member of Parliament Nick Dametto on Friday’s Today show said several children remained in hospital on Friday morning but all are stable.
“It must be an absolutely heartbreaking experience, and my heart goes out to each one of those families,” Dametto said.
“We have been told this morning that the children at Townsville University Hospital being treated are in a stable condition, and we look forward to seeing that continue throughout the day.
“The long-term condition of the children has not been determined, and we have not been informed of that yet, but we can say that the children are stable at this time and that is good news for those families.”
Dametto said he hopes the findings from the toxicology reports are the “missing key” that can get to the bottom of what happened.
Townsville Sergeant Major Jonathan Searle confirmed that the bus driver is under investigation and the bus has been taken to a depot for examination.
A crime scene has been set up at Bluewater State School in Townsville, Queensland, after 22 school-age children fell ill after eating the sweets.
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal pain after they fell ill right after arriving at school, and 14 were taken to hospital for further treatment (police in school pictured).
“From what I understand, the children started exhibiting symptoms 10 to 15 minutes after arriving at school,” Sgt. Searle told the mail.
The children were all on the same bus in the morning. In my 18 years of service, this is the first time I’ve heard of an investigation of this nature.’
On Thursday, the carers received a text at around 11:30am informing them that there had been an incident on the ‘Bus 7’ and that they would be contacted if it was their son.
“This is to report, several students have reported feeling unwell after eating popsicles given to them by a bus driver before school this morning (Bus 7),” it read.
“We will contact parents whose student is affected.”
According to the Bluewater State School website, the school has around 430 students enrolled from Prep to Year 6.
Local Member of Parliament Nick Dametto on the Today show on Friday said several children remained in hospital on Friday morning but all are stable.
Townsville Sergeant Major Jonathan Searle confirmed that the bus driver is under investigation and the bus has been taken to a depot for examination.
Bluewater State School said the Education Department was aware of the incident and advice would be made available to staff and students.
“School staff acted quickly to care for the students while the Queensland Ambulance Service and parents were contacted,” the school said in a statement.
The Queensland Police Service also attended and is investigating. Due to privacy concerns, the department is unable to provide further information.
‘Bluewater State School has the safety of students and staff as its highest priority. Guidance or counseling services are being made available to anyone who may need support.’
Parents at the school received a text at around 11:30am telling them there had been an incident on ‘Bus 7’ and they would be contacted if it was their son (file picture)
Education Minister Grace Grace said her thoughts are with the students.
“Our thoughts are with the students involved and the Bluewater State School community at large,” he said in a statement.
‘I would like to thank the school staff and the emergency services for their quick response to support the students.
“Queensland Police Service investigations are ongoing and I am confident they will get to the bottom of this incident.”