Townsville breaking news: William Ross State High School students ingest ‘unknown substance’

Seven students have been taken to hospital after ingesting a ‘brown powder’, with the Townsville school also plunged into lockdown after reports of a person with a weapon in the area.

Police and Paramedics responded to an incident at William Ross High School on February 7th 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Seven students have been hospitalised after ingesting a “brown powder” at a Townsville school earlier today.

Emergency services were called to William Ross State High School following reports several students had ingested the substance at Mervyn Crossman Dr, Annandale at 10.26am on Wednesday.

Senior operations supervisor, Townsville Queensland Ambulance Station, Martin Taylor said eight patients were initially treated at the school.

Police and Paramedics responded to an incident at William Ross High School on February 7th 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The students, who were a mix of male and female, had taken a brown powder, which Mr Taylor gave to police.

One student was nauseous and vomiting and was taken to hospital.

Paramedics transported a further six patients in their mid-teens in stable conditions with varying symptoms to Townsville University Hospital, according to Queensland Ambulance Service.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations manager Martin Taylor speaks about an incident at William Ross High School on February 7th 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Taylor said the students were not “high” but in a heightened state because of being seen and assessed by paramedics.

Mr Taylor, who was on scene at the school, would not elaborate on what the students told paramedics they had taken.

“It was a powder brought in by a member of the school,” he said.

“They had no idea what it was initially, so it’s been sent of for toxicology by the police.”

Police and Paramedics responded to an incident at William Ross High School on February 7th 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Any child who took the substance should go to hospital for assessment, Mr Taylor said.

The students who took the substance were tested by paramedics.

Two full QAS crews and an intensive care paramedic went to the school, and Mr Taylor said he stayed on scene for an extended period to make sure no one else needed assessment.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Officer Kieran Keyes said six of the impacted students had been discharged from the hospital as of 3.57pm.

“Townsville Hospital and Health Service has responded to a public health incident involving ingestion of a substance at a Townsville school this morning, Tuesday 7 February.

“Townsville University Hospital assessed six patients, five of whom have now been discharged. It’s expected that the sixth patient will be discharged shortly.

“Due to patient confidentiality, we are not able to provide any further information about the patients in our care.

“The Public Health Unit is liaising with the school to provide the latest health advice to the school community.

“This is an isolated incident, and there are no health risks to the wider community.”

There were at least four police vehicles, two ambulances and another QAS response vehicle in the carpark of William Ross State School.

The Bulletin has obtained an email that parents were sent from school principal Peter Stumer, who said he wanted to “reassure” parents that they treated the “safety and welfare” of the children at the school as the highest priority.

“We will work with the authorities as this incident is reviewed, and where appropriate, consequences will be applied in line with our Student Code of Conduct,” he wrote.

Mr Stumer confirmed there was a second incident leading to the school being placed into lockdown.

Principal Peter Stumer.

“While I appreciate your desire to understand the specifics of these matters, I am sure you understand that I am unable to go into any details at this time,” he said.

“In that respect, I would also ask you to consider refraining from providing commentary about the issue on social media or other forums.

“I will be speaking to students about care and safety regarding unknown objects and substances, and I would appreciate your support in also reinforcing these messages at home.”

A Department of Education spokesman said they were aware of an incident that occurred at the school this morning where a number of students ingested an unknown substance.

“As soon as the school became aware of the incident, emergency services were immediately contacted to attend the school and assess the students,” he said.

“At the same time, due to a separate police operation in close proximity to the school the school was placed into a precautionary lockdown. The lockdown was lifted a short time later on police advice.”

He said support services had been arranged by the school and were available to anyone who needed it.

“Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students or others in the school community is treated extremely seriously, and dealt with as a matter of priority in line with the school’s Student code of Conduct,” he said.

“The school and department will work closely with authorities as they investigate this incident.

“No further information can be provided on this incident as it is currently under police investigation.”

#Annandale - Paramedics are assessing multiple patients following reports of ingesting an unknown substance at 10.26am.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) February 7, 2024

The Bulletin obtained a text message sent to parents informing them that students at William Ross State School also went into lockdown at lunch over an unrelated incident.

It came after police received reports that someone with a weapon was seen walking near school grounds around 11.10am.

“I would like to advise you that at first lunch today police informed us of an incident involving members of the public acting dangerously near the school and advised us to lockdown the school,” the text message read.

“Police conducted a sweep of the school. The school was declared safe by police and the lockdown was ended.”

Police and Paramedics responded to an incident at William Ross High School on February 7th 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Police arrived on scene and searched the school and surrounding area.

Investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage.

Originally published as Townsville breaking news: William Ross State High School students ingest ‘unknown substance’