Bluewater State School: Bus driver investigated as students are hospitalised after ingesting lollies
A bus driver is under investigation after more than a dozen children were rushed to hospital after eating lollipops mixed with a ‘white substance’ the driver allegedly dispensed.
A crime scene was established at Bluewater State School in Townsville, Queensland, after 22 schoolchildren fell ill after eating the candy.
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal pain after falling 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 allegedly ingesting an unknown substance.”
At 4:30 p.m., 14 children between the ages of seven and eleven had to be treated in hospital.
Toxicology reports released today will be an essential part of the investigation.
A Queensland bus driver is under investigation because 22 children fell ill after eating lollipops mixed with a ‘white substance’ the driver allegedly handed out
Local MP Nick Dametto on Friday’s Today show said several children remained in hospital Friday morning, but all are in a stable condition.
“It must be an absolutely moving experience and my heart goes out to all those families,” said Mr. Dametto.
“We were told this morning that the condition of the children being treated at Townsville University Hospital is stable and we hope it will remain that way throughout the day.
“The long-term condition of the children has not been determined, and we have not been made aware of that, but we can say that the children are stable at the moment and that is good news for those families.”
Mr Dametto said he hopes the findings of the toxicology reports will be the ‘missing key’ that can get to the bottom of what happened.
Townsville Senior Sergeant Jonathan Searle confirmed that the bus driver is under investigation and the bus has been moved to a depot to be examined.
A crime scene was established at Bluewater State School in Townsville, Queensland after 22 schoolchildren fell ill after eating the candy
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal pain after falling ill shortly after arriving at school, and 14 were taken to hospital for further treatment (pictured, school police)
“In my opinion, the kids started showing symptoms within 10-15 minutes of arriving at school,” Sergeant Searle told the Courier Mail.
“The kids were all on the same morning bus. In my 18 years of service, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of such an investigation.’
On Thursday around 11:30 am, caregivers received a text message saying that an incident had happened on ‘Bus 7’ and that they would be contacted if their child was involved.
“This is to advise, a number of students have reported feeling unwell after eating lollipops given to them by a bus driver this morning before school (bus 7),” it read.
“We will contact parents whose student has been affected.”
According to the Bluewater State School website, the school has approximately 430 students enrolled from Prep to Year 6.
Local MP Nick Dametto on Friday’s Today show said several children remained in hospital Friday morning but all are in stable condition
Townsville Senior Sergeant Jonathan Searle confirmed that the bus driver is under investigation and the bus has been moved to a depot to be investigated
Bluewater State School said the Department of Education was aware of the incident and guidance would be made available for staff and students.
“School staff acted quickly to assist students while the Queensland Ambulance Service and parents were contacted,” the school said in a statement.
Queensland Police were also present and are investigating. Due to privacy reasons, the department cannot provide any further information.
Bluewater State School has the safety of students and staff as its highest priority. Guidance or advisory services are made available to anyone who needs support.’
Parents at the school received a text message around 11:30 a.m. saying there had been an incident on ‘Bus 7’ and they would be contacted if their child was involved (stock image)
Education Minister Grace Grace said her thoughts are with the students.
“Our thoughts are with the affected students and the wider Bluewater State School community,” she said in a statement.
“I would like to thank the school staff and emergency services for their quick response to support the students.
“Queensland Police’s investigations are ongoing and I am confident they will get to the bottom of this incident.”