Multiple students have been injured following a scaffolding collapse at a Campbelltown school
Frightened students have described the chaos when 12 of their peers were taken to hospital after the school photos scaffolding they stood on collapsed.
Macarthur
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FRIGHTENED students have described the chaos when 12 of their peers were taken to hospital after the school photos scaffolding they stood on collapsed.
Students and parents at Campbelltown Performing Arts School said the incident was “scary” and “concerning”.
“The year 12 grade were getting their photos taken and the stand they took their photos was unstable and it collapsed,” year nine student Isabella Meis said.
“A few kids broke their legs and their neck. I saw the ambulances and helicopters flying around. My teacher said there were a few minor injuries and that’s all they said.
“It was scary because I heard the thing collapse.”
Parents Tuy and Justine Uluibau picked up their son Eli early from school after he said he couldn’t concentrate.
“My son said can you come pick me up now because he’s not really focused. When we drove past when we dropped him off in the morning we saw them putting up the scaffolding,” he said.
“It’s concerning as a parent to see your child’s school on the news.”
Parents lined up in the reception of the Campbelltown school about 2pm with several students choosing to go home early.
Some cited seeing the counsellor for their early leave.
Parents were sent text messages informing them of the incident.
How it happened
Multiple students from a Campbelltown high school were rushed to hospital after the scaffolding, which was being used for school photos, collapsed this morning.
Up to 125 Year 12 students from Campbelltown Performing Arts High School were on the scaffolding at the time of the incident.
NSW Ambulance has confirmed 27 students, aged 16 and 17, were assessed by paramedics at the Beverly Rd school with 12 teenagers taken to hospital with minor injuries to the lower leg, head and abdominal region.
Eight students were transported by ambulance to Campbelltown Hospital and a further four students were taken to Liverpool Hospital.
Six ambulance crews responded to the incident.
“It was a very chaotic scene when we arrived today, we had multiple paramedics working together to help a number of patients as quickly as we could,” said Ambulance acting inspector Tatalia Noor.
“With incidents as large as this, it was vital to account for any person that had been injured, so they could be assessed and treated appropriately,” she said.
“Paramedics did an amazing job assessing and treating such a large group, to ensure that those that needed to be transported, could be.”
Students were contacting frantic parents, who heard about the incident over social media, with one mother saying her son had to help carry several injured students from the scaffolding.
Police tape has been placed around the broken scaffolding with SafeWork NSW currently inspecting the scene.
“All students requiring it were provided with first aid,” the school spokesman said. "We thank our students, staff and parents for their support.
“More information will be forwarded to our community as soon as practically possible.”
A father at the school has spoken about how his daughter was on the scaffolding for her year 12 photo when the collapse happened.
“She had cuts and bruises … my wife rang to say she’s ok,” he said.
“They said they felt it wobbling and were told it’s alright … and then it fell,” he said.
“Some of the students were saying it didn’t feel right.’’
“Now is the time that we as a community rally behind those who have been injured, and the students and staff at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School,” Campbelltown MP Greg Warren said.
“The friends and families of those who were injured are also not far from my thoughts.
“I have already, and will continue to offer whatever support is needed.”
When contacted by The Daily Telegraph, the photo company The School Photographer declined to comment or answer questions.
It is unclear whether the photography company set up the scaffolding themselves.
Support offered
A Education Department spokesman said staff immediately provided first aid and the emergency services were called.
“Students were assessed by NSW Ambulance at the scene with 12 being transported to local hospitals for assessment and medical treatment,” he said.
“No staff were injured.”
“Counselling support has been made available to students (and) the school has communicated with parents.”
The Department and SafeworkNSW are both investigating this incident.