Eleven Year 5 students and a teacher from Manly West public school in Balgowlah were injured shortly after 1pm, when wind gusts over 34 km/h blew hazardous materials into the air during an outdoor science experiment.
Two students with the most serious burns to their body were taken to the Westmead Children’s Hospital’s Burns Unit, while less critically injured students were transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital and Northern Beaches Hospital.
NSW Ambulance Service responds swiftly
First-aid response was provided by multiple ambulances from NSW Ambulance Service and specialist medical helicopter teams.
It is understood that the most critically injured student, a young girl around the age of 10, suffered multiple burns to her body. She was airlifted to the Westmead Children’s Hospital in a stable condition after receiving specialist medical help on site.
Politicians react to the incident
NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffin MP, said on Twitter shortly after the incident:
“I know the students and staff at Manly West very well. My thoughts go out to all of them. I have offered the School every and all assistance they need. I will work with the P&C and school leadership to ensure they get the support they need over the coming days and weeks.”
NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell MP who is also Leader of the Nationals in the Legislative Council, said in a media statement:
“We will provide whatever resources the school community needs in the coming days, including counselling for students and staff. Investigations into the incident will be undertaken by the relevant authorities, including the Department of Education and NSW Police. In addition, SafeWork NSW has been notified and they will carry out their own investigation in due course.”
Zali Steggal, independent federal MP for Warringah, tweeted:
“Shocked to hear reports of an incident at Manly West Public School today. My thoughts are with the students and staff who have been impacted, and I wish them a speedy recovery.”
Police could be seen on the Manly West Public School grounds, with specialist teams arriving to survey the area.
Large media presence was also recorded in the school’s vicinity hours into the incident.
A student from Manly West public school who identified himself as “Flynn” said:
“I heard that a lot of people were saying: “Oh my God, the teacher is on fire!” It was kind of scary. …I saw a lot of people crying and running around”.
Parents: what kind of risk assessment was conducted amid gale force winds
Local parents are now asking questions on social media about what kind of risk assessment was conducted before the science experiment gone wrong given the extreme windy conditions in the local area.
A local teacher who wanted to stay anonymous said for Keeping News Local that teaching curriculum, including for science subjects, would normally be pre-approved by a supervisor weeks in advance, but that teachers generally had some liberty in changing the teaching setting if it was deemed safe to do so. Relevant authorities are still investigating the incident while there has been no formal response by the Principal.