Pacific Pines State High School: QAS treat 13 boys who put plant in their mouths

It’s been revealed that thirteen students who were treated by paramedics at a Gold Coast high school had put leaves from a garden plant in their mouths. Full story.

Pacific Pines State High School. Picture: Tahlia Leathart.

Thirteen boys suffered from swelling and burning sensations after putting a garden plant in their mouths at a Gold Coast high school.

Ambulances rushed to Pacific Pines State High School at 11.20am on Tuesday after the thirteen boys, aged between 11 and 13, came into contact with leaves from a Giant Taro plant.

The sap of the plant is known to cause swelling of the tongue and a fiery sensation.

Queensland Ambulance Service Operations Supervisor David Morgan said they were among the symptoms encountered by paramedics when they arrived at the scene.

“There were a variety of symptoms. There were some people who had angioedema around the lips, so quite swollen lips. There were people complaining of burning mouths. And a lot of excess salivation. There were lots of young boys that were spitting into drink troughs,” Mr Morgan said.

Queensland Ambulance Service Operations Supervisor David Morgan. Picture: Keith Woods.

Paramedics remained at the school for two hours while they treated the boys. Twelve of the 13 boys were allowed to leave with their parents after their symptoms had subsided. However a thirteenth boy was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital for monitoring as a precautionary measure.

Mr Morgan said it was unclear what had prompted the boys to put the plant in their mouths.

“We’re unsure whose idea it was, but basically there was a plant that was located within the school grounds and they have decided to put some of that into their mouth,” he said.

“None of them swallowed it. It all went into the mouth but they actually spat it out. But that was enough to cause the symptoms of hyper-salivation, swelling of the lips and burning sensation to the mouth.”

Alocasia macrorrhizos is a species of flowering plant in the arum family. It is commonly known as the Giant Taro. Picture: iStock.

Mr Morgan praised the actions of school staff and the assistance of the Poisons Information Centre, which had relayed vital information as paramedics made their way to the scene.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the school’s priority was the safety and welfare of students and staff.

“Emergency Services were called to Pacific Pines State High School this morning, where they treated a number of students for non-life threatening incident,” the spokesperson said.

“No further details can be provided for reasons of student privacy.

“The school followed the correct procedure and took immediate action to notify Emergency Services.

“The safety and welfare of students and staff is always the school’s highest priority.”

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Originally published as Pacific Pines State High School: QAS treat 13 boys who put plant in their mouths