Girl tells of school gas ordeal

Mrs Maher said she was told her child was not in the building

An 11-year-old girl caught up in a gas attack in a Kent school has told how the fumes hit her as she walked from her maths class before she collapsed.

Melissa Maher was one of 21 children taken to hospital after pepper spray was released in a stairwell.

The schoolgirl said she was dizzy, pupils around her were finding it difficult to breathe, and feeling sick.

She said: "As I was walking out my maths class, I collapsed. They checked me and I still kept going dizzy, but I stopped in a while."

She said one of the other children taken to hospital with her "was having problems breathing" and another "kept feeling really sick".

She added: "All the others were like me, going dizzy.

"We all had an eye wash and blood pressure check."

I'm absolutely disgusted with the way their operation worked Paula Maher Arrests after gas attack

Melissa's mother Paula said she was at home as events at the school unfolded, but she was unable to find out where her child was.

She said her brother alerted her to what had happened, and she managed to get hold of the school 20 minutes later.

"They promised me she was not in the building," she said.

"Then I found out about 20 minutes later that she was - and she was in casualty."

Mrs Maher said she was angry and upset and said: "I'm absolutely disgusted with the way their operation worked."

Apology to parents

David Adams, a spokesman for Kent County Council said: "There was an unfortunate event which took place which initially was dealt with well by the school.

"Pupils and staff were clear what had happened and were safe

"Unfortunately some messages managed to get around the community which were not true in terms of today's event, which led to an understandable expectation and frustration.

"Clearly the communication today needs to be improved. We apologise to any parent who feels they weren't given information appropriately.

"And from today's scenes and incidents, we can see some parents were clearly anxious.

"We understand that and we're sorry for any distress caused."

A surgery is being held on Friday where parents will be able to take part in one-to-one interviews to voice their concerns with staff.