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Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse Exam pupils hurt in duct collapse
(29 minutes later)
Four children were seriously hurt and nine others injured 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 injured 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.
Six pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, were taken to Medway Hospital for treatment.Six pupils, including four with serious head, neck and back injuries, were taken to Medway Hospital for treatment.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said no-one had been left trapped underneath the duct.Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said no-one had been left trapped underneath the duct.
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "There are currently 13 confirmed casualties, all of whom are teenagers. 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 Twelve first aid-trained staff dealt with injuries immediately and emergency services were on site within a few minutes Alan Klee, head teacher
"Four of the patients have serious neck, head and/or back injuries.
He added: "The other nine have more minor injuries.
"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.""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."
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.
"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: "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.
"It's been confirmed that 13 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."
'School shut''School shut'
She said strong winds prevented one student from being airlifted to hospital.She said strong winds prevented one student from being airlifted to hospital.
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.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 Police, South East Coast Ambulance NHS Trust and the Kent Air Ambulance are also in attendance.""Kent Police, South East Coast Ambulance NHS Trust and the Kent Air Ambulance are also in attendance."
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.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.
Minster School on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19.Minster School on the Isle of Sheppey has about 1,600 students aged between 14 and 19.
The school carried out a £1.5m building work project which included the refurbishment of its gymnasium in 2005.The school carried out a £1.5m building work project which included the refurbishment of its gymnasium in 2005.
In 2007 it came last in Kent's Key Stage 3 results table and was one of the worst in the country.In 2007 it came last in Kent's Key Stage 3 results table and was one of the worst in the country.
At the time head teacher Alan Klee said the figures did not include the grades achieved by students who took the test early.At the time head teacher Alan Klee said the figures did not include the grades achieved by students who took the test early.


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