A bus driver is being investigated after more than a dozen children were rushed to hospital after eating lollies mixed with a ‘white substance’ that the driver allegedly handed out.
A crime scene was established at Bluewater State School in Townsville, Queensland, after 22 school children became sick after eating the candy.
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and intestinal pain after they fell ill just after they arrived at school.
Queensland Ambulance said they were called to the school around 10 am and treated multiple children for ‘minor illness symptoms after they reportedly ingested an unknown substance’.
By 4.30 pm, 14 children needed treatment in hospital, aged between seven and 11 years of age.
Toxicology reports set to be released today will form a vital part of the investigation.
A Queensland bus driver is under investigation as 22 children fell ill after eating lollies mixed with a ‘white substance’ that the driver allegedly handed out
Local member for parliament Nick Dametto on the Today show on Friday said multiple children remained in hospital on Friday morning, but all are in a stable condition.
‘It must be an absolutely harrowing experience, and my heart goes out to every one of those families,’ Mr Dametto said.
‘We’ve been told this morning that the children at Townsville University Hospital who are being treated are in a stable condition, and we hope to see that continue throughout the day.
‘The condition of the children long-term has not been determined, and we have not been made aware of that just yet but we can say that the children are stable right now and that’s good news for those families.’
Mr Dametto said he hopes the findings from the toxicology reports will be the ‘missing key’ that can get to the bottom of what happened.
Townsville Senior Sergeant Jonathan Searle confirmed the bus driver is being investigated, 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 school children became sick after eating the candy
The children were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and intestinal pain after they fell ill just after they arrived at school, with 14 taken to hospital for further treatment (pictured, police at the school)
‘From my understanding, the children started presenting symptoms within 10-15 minutes of arriving at school,’ Sgt Searle told the Courier Mail.
‘The children were all on the same morning bus. In my 18 years of service, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of an investigation of this nature.’
On Thursday, caregivers received a text message at about 11:30am informing them there had been an incident on ‘Bus 7’ and that they would be contacted if it regarded their child.
‘This is to advise, a number of students have reported feeling unwell after eating lollies given to them by a bus driver before school this morning (Bus 7),’ it read.
‘We will be in contact with parents whose student is affected.’
According to Bluewater State School’s website, the school has about 430 students enrolled from Prep to Year 6.
Local member for parliament Nick Dametto on the Today show on Friday said multiple children remained in hospital on Friday morning but all are in a stable condition
Townsville Senior Sergeant Jonathan Searle confirmed the bus driver is being investigated and the bus has been moved to a depot to be examinedÂ
Bluewater State School said the Department of Education was aware of the incident and that counselling would be made available for staff and students.
‘School staff acted quickly to attend to the students while the Queensland Ambulance Service and parents were contacted,’ the school said in a statement.
‘The Queensland Police Service also attended and are investigating. Due to privacy issues the department is unable to provide any further information.
‘Bluewater State School holds the safety of students and staff as its highest priority. Guidance or counselling services are being made available for anyone who may require support.’
Parents at the school received a text message at about 11:30am telling them there had been an incident on ‘Bus 7’ and that they would be contacted if it regarded their child (stock image)
Education Minister Grace Grace said her thoughts are with the students.
‘Our thoughts are with the students involved and the broader 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 Service investigations are ongoing and I am confident they will get to the bottom of this incident.’