The students struck by a mystery illness at a Yorkshire school started fainting during today’s silence to commemorate Remembrance Day.
At least 40 pupils were being treated by paramedics at Oakwood Academy Ripon this afternoon, with others going to hospital after suddenly falling ill.
A parent of one child said the students had been taking part in a ceremony to mark Armistice Day when they started passing out one after another at 11am.
A teenager who was present told BBC correspondent Frankie McCamley that the assembly hall was “far too hot” at the time, adding: “The first person fainted during the minutes' silence, then seven others went."
The emergency services have sent specialist teams to the school to determine what caused the unexplained sickness.
“At this time, the safety of all the students and staff at the school is paramount and officers are working with the fire and ambulance services to establish what has caused the students to collapse,” a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said.
The Outwood Academy Ripon declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.
Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith said: "I am in touch with the school and I'm assured that the emergency services are responding and the situation is under control.
"The Secretary of State for Education has been in touch to offer any support required from her department and I will be assisting in any way I can to help the school, parents and pupils."
