Kids rushed to hospital after eating sweets covered in 'white substance' on bus

09 March 2023 , 12:24

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Of 22 children who had ingested the substance, 16 were suffering symptoms (Image: 7News)

A bus driver is under investigation after children were rushed to hospital after eating sweets covered in a "white substance" on a school bus.

A total of 15 primary school students have been hospitalised in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, prompting the local hospital to activate a Code Brown to deal with an "external emergency".

The students, aged between seven and 12, were treated for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and intestinal pain after they fell ill just after they arrived at school.

The Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor David Wright said 22 children had ingested an "unknown substance", which ABC News understands was sweets and several started displaying minor symptoms.

The sweets "mixed with a ‘white substance’ were allegedly passed around by a bus driver."

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Police confirmed the bus that took a group of students to Bluewater State School in Townsville is being examined (7News)

Townsville Senior Sergeant Jonathan Searle told reporters the bus was being examined and the bus driver was “part of our investigation at the moment”.

He continued: "From my understanding, the children started presenting symptoms within 10-15 minutes of arriving at school.

“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.”

Chief executive officer of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Kieran Keyes, said 15 students were in the hospital and all are in stable condition.

Mr Wright said the children who weren't taken to hospital were monitored at school by paramedics and a lot of them were saying [they were feeling], "in children's words, crook in the tummy, feeling like they're going to vomit and feeling a little dizzy."

He said for children it can be quite daunting, despite it being mild symptoms "they're all doing the best they can."

Bluewater State School said: "The department is aware of an incident that occurred today which required the assistance of emergency services.

“School staff acted quickly to attend to the students while the Queensland Ambulance Service and parents were contacted.

“Due to privacy issues, the department is unable to provide any further information.

“Guidance or counselling services are being made available for anyone who may require support.”

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