Three schoolboys were rushed to hospital after they were electrocuted at private boarding school, Millfield School in Somerset, as other kids were offered counselling
Three schoolboys suffered serious burns and were left needing surgery after they were electrocuted by overhead cables at their private boarding school.
It is believed the boys, who are aged between 13 and 14, were electrocuted by an overhead cable at a boarding house of the private boarding Millfield School in Somerset. Emergency services including an air ambulance, a specialist hazard team, fire crews and police officers rushed to the scene on Saturday evening and the trio were taken to hospital. The three lads suffered severe burns and required surgery and the school has since been referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
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A letter seen by the Sun from the school’s headmaster, Gavin Horgan, confirmed to parents on Sunday that a “serious incident occurred yesterday evening”. He told parents of students at the £58,000-a-year school that the teens had been left with serious injuries after “contact with overhead electrical cables”.
He told parents: “The boys have undergone surgery overnight and are currently in a stable condition. It will be some time before we understand the extent of their injuries and it will be a long road to recovery.
“All three students have their families or close family friends with them. We are in close contact with the families and they are very grateful for the care that has been afforded to their children.”
Other boys in the boarding house where the incident happened have been offered counselling by the school. The headteacher asked parents to “avoid speculation” as he attempted to reassure them that this was an “isolated incident.”
He went on to say that staff rushed to the students’ aid “within moments” and that emergency services arrived on the scene within minutes of the terrifying incident. A Millfield spokesperson said: “There is no ongoing danger to others. The entire Millfield Community’s thoughts and best wishes are with them all.
“We ask for everyone to respect their privacy and avoid speculation. We are working closely with the authorities to investigate how the accident occurred.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were called by the ambulance service at 7.50pm on Saturday 3 May to support them and the fire service in responding to an incident at Millfield School, near Street.
“Three people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Their next of kin have been informed. Following the incident, a referral was made to the Health and Safety Executive who will lead in any investigation.”
A HSE spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of this incident and has been in contact with Avon and Somerset Police and the School to make initial enquiries.”
Millfield School, in Somerset, is an elite public school favoured by celebrity families from across the world. Along with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the school has a 30,300 sq ft riding school and squash courts as well as a fencing ‘salle’.
Due to the facilities, the school is known for excelling in sporting prowess, having educated England captain Chris Robshaw and Olympic shooter Peter Wilson. Famous alumni also include the King of Thailand and pop star Lily Allen.
