Armagh: Students taken to hospital by ambulance after becoming ill

The emergency services were called to the Armagh campus of the Southern Regional College at lunchtime

Nine students have been taken to hospital after emergency services were called to the Armagh campus of the Southern Regional College (SRC).

Police and several ambulance crews were sent to the building after a 999 call at 12:42 GMT on Friday.

Brian Doran, chief executive of the college, said all those affected were students at Markethill High School.

"They were taken to hospital as a result of staff acting when one or more students fell ill," he said.

"The college liaised with the school. The school had staff on premises. We worked with the school staff to inform parents, and the emergency services were on hand fairly quickly.

"The concern was to get the students medical treatment as quickly as possibly, which thankfully they did."

He added: "We'll carry on our own investigations with the school early next week to try and ascertain what was the nature of the incident."

Mr Doran said he had been told all the students had since recovered.

They attend the college one day per week for vocational programmes.

Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Mr Doran said the college would not be making any further comment.

Enquiries continuing

A police spokesman said officers received a report that "a number of pupils required medical attention".

"Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause," he added.

The incident was first reported by the Armaghi news site.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said: "NIAS despatched two emergency crews, an intermediate care crew and two ambulance officers to the incident.

"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, nine patients were taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital."

SDLP assembly member Justin McNulty said he had been in contact with the college after the incident.

"I hope those who are receiving medical treatment make a full recovery," he said.

Ulster Unionist Party councillor Sam Nicholson said what had happened was worrying and that his thoughts were with those taken to hospital, their family and friends.

"The police are investigating and I hope they leave no stone unturned to find out what happened," he said.