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Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse
(31 minutes later)
Fourteen children were injured, four seriously hurt, when a heating duct collapsed in a college's sports hall during an exam.Fourteen children were injured, four seriously hurt, when a heating duct collapsed in a college's sports hall during an exam.
The Year 9 pupils were hurt at Minster College, Minster Road, Sheerness, at about 0920 BST.The Year 9 pupils were hurt at Minster College, Minster Road, Sheerness, at about 0920 BST.
Eleven pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, were taken to Medway Hospital.Eleven pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, were taken to Medway Hospital.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it was "very lucky" that the duct fell between rows of pupils.Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it was "very lucky" that the duct fell between rows of pupils.
About 240 students were in the sports hall when the metal heating duct fell from the ceiling. About 240 students were in the sports hall sitting their SATS when the metal heating duct fell from the ceiling.
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "Four of the patients have serious neck, head and/or back injuries."A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "Four of the patients have serious neck, head and/or back injuries."
Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes Alan Klee, head teacher I am upset and I feel bad about my friend - all I can picture is him sitting there Sam, 14
None of them were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.None of them were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
He added: "A small number of people also received treatment at the scene for things like shock. Six patients have been taken to Medway Hospital by land ambulance."He added: "A small number of people also received treatment at the scene for things like shock. Six patients have been taken to Medway Hospital by land ambulance."
Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham said injured pupils were being assessed and their families were at the hospital. Sam, who is 14, was in the sports hall at the time of the incident and saw his friend get hurt.
He said he heard a noise and looked up. Soon afterwards the heating duct fell down.
'Feel bad'
"I saw my friend was hurt and I moved the desks to get to him. I rang the ambulance and then my mum to tell her what happened."
He added: "I am upset and I feel bad about my friend - all I can picture is him sitting there."
Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham said injured pupils were being treated and their families were at the hospital.
Rupert Roberts, Kent Fire and Rescue Service: 'Eleven children were taken to hospital'
Head teacher Alan Klee said: "During an exam being sat by Year 9 pupils in the sports hall at Minster College, heating ducting collapsed.Head teacher Alan Klee said: "During an exam being sat by Year 9 pupils in the sports hall at Minster College, heating ducting collapsed.
"Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes."Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes.
Rupert Roberts, Kent Fire and Rescue Service: 'Eleven children were taken to hospital'
"The school is currently co-ordinating the collection of all the children. Any children who can't be collected will remain on site fully supervised.""The school is currently co-ordinating the collection of all the children. Any children who can't be collected will remain on site fully supervised."
A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police can confirm they are currently attending an incident at Minster College in Minster Road on the Isle of Sheppey where part of a heating duct has collapsed. A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "It's been confirmed that 14 Year 9 pupils have been injured. They were sitting an exam in the sports hall when the incident occurred."
"It's been confirmed that 14 Year 9 pupils have been injured. They were sitting an exam in the sports hall when the incident occurred."
She said strong winds prevented one student from being airlifted to hospital.She said strong winds prevented one student from being airlifted to hospital.
£1.5m revamp A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said it was called at 0918 BST and sent three appliances plus its specialist Urban Search and Rescue team to the scene.
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "KFRS was called at 0918 BST and has sent three appliances plus its specialist Urban Search and Rescue team to the scene. Kent County Council said the school had been closed for the day. The authority has advised parents to ring its call centre number for more information on 08458 247247.
"Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance NHS Trust and the Kent Air Ambulance are also in attendance." Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19.
Kent County Council said the school was going to shut. The authority has advised parents to ring its call centre number for more information on 08458 247247. It is due to merge with the Cheyne Middle School and reopen in September as the The Isle of Sheppey Academy, based on the two sites.
Minster School on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19. Some buildings at the two schools will be demolished and others refurbished in time for the new term but Kent County Council could not confirm whether this included the gym.
The school carried out a £1.5m building work project which included the refurbishment of its gymnasium in 2005.
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