13-year-old girl arrested over 'gas release' at Wythenshawe school

A 13-year-old girl has been arrested after two pupils were taken to hospital following a "gas release" at a school.

Emergency services, including a specialist hazardous area response team and advanced paramedics, were scrambled to St Paul's RC High School in Wythenshawe, Manchester, on Wednesday.

More than 100 potential patients were assessed following the incident at about 12.15pm involving an aerosol can before two pupils were taken to Wythenshawe Hospital with minor breathing difficulties.

A major incident was declared by North West Ambulance Service but it was stood down nearly three hours later.

Greater Manchester Police said:

"Following an incident earlier today involving the release of gas from an aerosol can at a school on Firbank Road, Manchester, we can confirm a 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a section 5 offensive weapon.

"She currently remains in custody."

Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service used four breathing apparatus and gas detectors to assess the scene.

They also assisted ambulance crews in triaging those evacuated from the school.

In a statement, NWAS said:

"At 12.16pm the service was called to an incident involving a release of gas at St Paul's RC High School, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester.

"Due to the number of potential casualties and the resources needed at the scene, the trust declared a major incident.

"We sent 21 resources including emergency ambulances, our Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), advanced paramedics, Merit doctors and volunteer services who between them assessed more than 100 potential patients.

"Of those, two were taken to Wythenshawe Hospital with breathing difficulties - none of the conditions presented to us were life-threatening."

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