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| Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse | Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Twelve children were injured, four seriously, when a heating duct collapsed in a college's sports hall during an exam. | Twelve children were injured, four seriously, 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. |
| Emergency teams took 12 pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, to Medway Hospital. | Emergency teams took 12 pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, to Medway Hospital. |
| Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it was "very lucky" the duct fell between rows of pupils. | Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it was "very lucky" the duct fell between rows of pupils. |
| About 150 students were in the sports hall sitting a Certificate in Preparation for Working Life exam when the metal heating duct fell from the ceiling. Eleven adults were in the hall at the time. | About 150 students were in the sports hall sitting a Certificate in Preparation for Working Life exam when the metal heating duct fell from the ceiling. Eleven adults were in the hall at the time. |
| I am upset and I feel bad about my friend - all I can picture is him sitting there Sam, pupil class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/8046767.stm">Read more accounts | |
| South East Coast Ambulance Service said four patients had serious neck, head and back injuries, but none was believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. | South East Coast Ambulance Service said four patients had serious neck, head and back injuries, but none was believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. |
| A small number of people were treated at the scene for shock. | A small number of people were treated at the scene for shock. |
| Sam, 14, was in the sports hall at the time of the incident and saw his friend get hurt. | Sam, 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 moments before the heating duct fell down. | He said he heard a noise and looked up moments before the heating duct fell down. |
| "I saw my friend was hurt and I moved the desks to get to him," he said. "I rang the ambulance and then my mum to tell her what happened. | "I saw my friend was hurt and I moved the desks to get to him," he said. "I rang the ambulance and then my mum to tell her what happened. |
| "I am upset and I feel bad about my friend - all I can picture is him sitting there." | "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. | Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham said injured pupils were being treated and their families were at the hospital. |
| 'Very shocked' | 'Very shocked' |
| Head teacher Alan Klee said: "We were very lucky indeed. | Head teacher Alan Klee said: "We were very lucky indeed. |
| "Most of the students have escaped with just cuts and bruises and are being discharged from the hospital as I speak. | "Most of the students have escaped with just cuts and bruises and are being discharged from the hospital as I speak. |
| "It's very fortunate that it fell between the desks so it missed many of the students. | "It's very fortunate that it fell between the desks so it missed many of the students. |
| "Nevertheless we have been very, very shocked by what has happened." | "Nevertheless we have been very, very shocked by what has happened." |
| He said the sports hall received regular maintenance checks and the safety of the building had never posed any cause for concern. | He said the sports hall received regular maintenance checks and the safety of the building had never posed any cause for concern. |
| "Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes," he added. | "Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes," he added. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Four of the Year 9 students suffered serious head, neck or back injuries | Four of the Year 9 students suffered serious head, neck or back injuries |
| The school was closed after the incident. | The school was closed after the incident. |
| A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which sent three appliances and a search and rescue team to the scene, said crews were called at 0918 BST | A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which sent three appliances and a search and rescue team to the scene, said crews were called at 0918 BST |
| Kent County Council's education boss, Rosalind Turner, said: "Our thoughts are with the children and their families and we wish them all the best for a speedy recovery. | Kent County Council's education boss, Rosalind Turner, said: "Our thoughts are with the children and their families and we wish them all the best for a speedy recovery. |
| "We are working with Minster College to help staff and will be on hand to support the students and their families. | "We are working with Minster College to help staff and will be on hand to support the students and their families. |
| "The school will be open tomorrow to minimise disruption for those taking their exams." | "The school will be open tomorrow to minimise disruption for those taking their exams." |
| 'Everyone cried' after duct fall | 'Everyone cried' after duct fall |
| Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19. | Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |