Outwood Academy: At least 40 pupils struck by mystery illness at Ripon school
Police said emergency services were working to find out what caused them to collapse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 40 pupils have been struck by a mystery illness at a school in Yorkshire.
Police and ambulances were called to the Outwood Academy Ripon as children started collapsing shortly after 11am today.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “A number of students had collapsed at the school and have been taken to hospital.
"At this time, the safety of all the students and staff at the school is paramount and officers are working with the fire and ambulance services to establish what has caused the students to collapse.“
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service had been called at 11.30am to reports of pupils “falling ill suddenly with nausea and feeling faint”.
“We dispatched a number of resources to the scene including a doctor, three ambulance crews, two rapid response vehicles, a number of Clinical Supervisors and our Hazardous Area Response Team,” a spokesperson said.
“Up to 40 students are currently being treated on scene, but we have not conveyed any patients to hospital at this stage.”
Police said there were aware of at least two pupils who had attended hospital or local medical facilities independently.
The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent crews from Ripon and Boroughbridge, alongside hazardous materials specialists and detection teams.
“We are working with colleagues from North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service at this time to determine what has caused this occurrence,” a spokesperson said.
The Outwood Academy Ripon declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.
The school has 635 pupils aged between 11 and 18 and is part of a group of 15 primary and secondary academies across Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments