22 Children, 3 Teachers Sickened by Gas Leak

Ambulances ferried 22 children and three teachers sickened by gas fumes to hospitals after a construction crew ruptured a pipe at an Orange County school, authorities said.

No one was seriously hurt during the Tuesday morning accident. The hospital examinations were precautionary and all were released, with most back for afternoon classes at Washington Middle School, Principal Gary Mantey said.

The gas pipeline was ruptured at about 8:30 a.m. and the 845 children at the school were evacuated until the leak was stopped. The students returned to classes, but students and instructors in an algebra class complained of dizziness, and ambulances were called in.

“The Fire Department received the all-clear, and students went back to class. After that time some students, particularly in the one classroom, were feeling nauseous and dizzy and they were sent up to the office,” Mantey said.