Bundaberg East State School children assessed after reacting to plant sap

A Bundaberg school principal revealed the details of an incident in the classroom which led to three children being rushed to hospital.

The NewsMail can confirm the incident happened at Bundaberg East State School.

Three children were taken to hospital after coming into contact with a plant they reacted to at a Bundaberg primary school on Thursday morning.

A letter sent to parents by the Bundaberg East State School principal said students noticed the sap after a teacher was cutting a common pot plant.

“As they were currently learning about adaptations of plant, this inquiry by students presented itself as a teachable moment,” the letter stated.

The letter went on to explain students had a skin reaction about five minutes after washing their hands.

“It had become apparent that one of the students had touched his mouth with his fingers and may have ingested the sap which caused a greater medical reaction,” the letter stated.

Thirteen more students then reported they had itchy skin and were also looked at by paramedics.

Three students were taken to hospital and released within an hour.

Emergency services received a call at 10am and ambulance crews rushed to Scotland St, a Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said.

Paramedics assessed seven children with minor reactions, three of which were taken to Bundaberg Hospital.

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All three children were in stable conditions.

A Queensland Department of Education spokesperson said in a statement the students developed a reaction after touching sap from a pot plant as part of a science lesson.

The students were told by their teacher to immediately wash their hands and the school contacted ambulance services, the spokesperson said.

“Three students were taken to hospital as a precaution and released shortly after,” the statement said.

The remaining students were assessed and sent home for the day.

The spokesperson said the school will “review their safety and risk assessment process regarding plants present in classrooms” and encouraged concerned parents to contact the school.