Fourteen children have been injured as a result of a heating duct collapsing in a hall full of children taking exams. Of the fourteen, four suffered serious neck, head or back injuries but fortunately none of the injuries were thought to be life threatening. The incident occurred in the sports hall of Minster college on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent where 150 pupils were taking exams.
One of the pupils stated that ‘there was a creak in the air vent…then the whole back bit fell down’. Another pupil, John Semoore aged 16, stated that the vent ‘was always rattling in the wind’.
Much like in the work place with employees, schools have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for pupils to work in. This incident could lead to a claim for personal injury if the school can be proved to have failed to perform appropriate checks to safeguard the health of the children and their employees. However, the head teacher of the school, Mr Alan Lee, was quick to point out that the hall was regularly checked and that there had never been any cause for concern that the sports hall was unsafe to use previously. However, if the vent was always ‘rattling in the wind’ as was stated, then it might be that the vent was something that needed properly investigating, especially when children are involved.
As a result of the incident the school was closed for the day.
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