Nine children were rushed to hospital after it’s believed they smoked a legal high. Five girls aged 13, two girls aged 12 and an 11-year-old boy were taken to the Royal Gwent hospital after taking the drug at Llanwern High School, in Newport.
Following an examination, eight of the children were discharged. Another is still in hospital but should be going home within the next 24 hours.
A witness at the school said: “I saw a paramedic and an ambulance a few minutes apart, then saw someone on a stretcher that I later found out had collapsed.
“People are saying it was due to legal highs and that several students in Years 7, 8 and 9 were involved. It was what everyone was talking about, at least in my year.”
A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance service confirmed three rapid response cars, three ambulances and an urgent care service vehicle had been sent to the school at 12.10 on Friday.
The council confirmed an investigation had started. They added: “Our immediate priority is the well-being of the pupils affected. The school will be carrying out an investigation and will be working with the police into how this incident happened.”
It’s not yet known what substance the children took and where it was obtained.