Schools Evacuate After Toxic Scare by Neil (Newspaper Report)

Newspaper Report, Tuesday 12 August 2008
Page 18A

Schools Evacuate After Toxic Scare

Some beads on a traditional Samoan lei presented at a powhiri at Jean Batten Primary School classified as toxic.

At a primary school in Mangere, one girl and two boys were taken to Middlemore hospital after touching beads on a lei.

After discovering that the children had rashes and swollen eyes, Jean Batten School and their visitors Red Beach Primary School evacuated the hall before the special services arrived.

The children are now in a safe condition after a decamanation shower and some pain relief. They will be sent back to school later today.

Mr. Bruce, the principal said “The school was disrupted for about 30 minutes but the school should be back to normal anytime now”

-N.N.Z.P.A Neil, New, Zealand, Press, Association