Ten taken to hospital as Crieff primary school remains closed after 'chemical leak'

Key Points

Ten people taken to hospital following reports of ‘chemical leak’ at primary school
Members of staff felt ‘unwell’ with hazmat teams sent to the scene
Council aims to reopen school on Monday but facility to remain closed on Friday
‘No identifiable evidence’ spillages or leaks led to hospitalisations, council claims
Deep clean of school to take place over the weekend

Ten people were taken to hospital after a primary school was evacuated following reports of a “chemical leak”.

Crieff Primary School pupils were evacuated on Thursday as emergency services including Police, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and hazmat were sent to the scene.

Ten adults were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee following the incident after a member of staff became unwell.

A number of other members of staff then reported feeling unwell.

Perth and Kinross Council confirmed the school will remain closed as a “precautionary measure” on Friday. It is expected to re-open on Monday.

The council said there had not been any identified evidence of spillages or leaks contributing to the hospitalisations but that testing is to continue at the site.

Crieff Primary School evacuated after potential chemical leak STV News

Sheena Devlin, Perth and Kinross Council’s strategic lead for children and families, said: “The wellbeing of our children and our staff is our priority and so we have decided to keep the school closed on Friday as a precautionary measure.

“We understand the concern this incident will have caused but would like to reassure parents, carers and pupils that we are working closely with our partners in NHS Tayside and Scottish Fire and Rescue to understand why some staff felt unwell.”

“We will provide further updates once we have more information.

“Any members of staff or pupils feeling unwell should seek medical advice as they would usually do or contact NHS 24 on 111.”

An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: “Ten adults attended the Emergency Department at Ninewells Hospital as a precaution.

“All have undergone clinical assessment and no one has any immediate medical concerns.

“The majority of patients have already been discharged after being seen.”

Parents were contacted to pick up their children as normal and the council say a deep clean of the site will take place this weekend.

A Police Scotland statement: “Around 11.30am on Thursday, September 5, 2024, we were called to a report of a potential chemical leak within a school in Broich Road, Crieff.

“Emergency services are in attendance and the building has been evacuated as a precaution.

“A police cordon is in place and enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 11.26am on Thursday, September 5 to reports of a potential chemical leak at a school on Broich Road, Crieff.

“Operations Control mobilised one appliance and two specialist appliances to the scene.

“Crews remain on scene and are working to make the area safe.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 11.06am to attend an incident on Broich Road, Crieff.

“We dispatched multiple resources to the scene including four ambulances and three special operation response teams (SORT).

“Two patients have been transported to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.”