Dulwich school: twelve children and one adult taken to hospital after ceiling collapse

Twenty firefighters attended the scene at the school in Dulwich, south London, after the collapse of the ceiling in a classroom
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Twelve children and one adult were taken to hospital after a ceiling collapsed at a south London school.

Sixteen people were treated at the scene after a ceiling collapsed in a year 3 classroom at Rosemead Preparatory School, Dulwich.

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Twenty firefighters were called to the school just before 9.30am on Monday (15 November), the Metropolitan Police also attended.

The school’s chair of governors said noone had received life-threatening or life-changing injuries, and the majority of those taken to hospital had been discharged.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.24am today (November 15) to reports of an incident at Rosemead Preparatory School, SE21.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, medics in cars, advanced paramedics, incident response officers, emergency planning resilience officers, our hazardous area response team, and a command support vehicle.

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“We treated 16 people at the scene, and took 12 children and one adult to hospital.”

London Fire Brigade said in a statement: “Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters were called to a ceiling collapse at a school in Thurlow Park Road in Dulwich.

“A ceiling had collapsed on the second floor. A number of people were treated on the scene for minor injuries and a number of children taken to hospital by London Ambulance crews.

“All other children and staff were safely evacuated from the building. Firefighters carried out a systematic search of the building and confirmed with the school that all children and staff were accounted for.

Specialist team checked building wasn’t at risk of further collapse

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The fire service said the incident was over for crews by 11.50am, and added: “A specialist USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team and equipment were also used to confirm the building was at no further risk of collapse.

“Fire crews from West Norwood and Brixton fire stations attended the incident.”

Emergency crews have now left the scene and the surrounding roads have reopened.

Labour’s Helen Hayes, the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, tweeted: “Very concerned to hear of the collapse of a ceiling at Rosemead School this morning.

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“My thoughts are with the children, staff and parents. I hope no-one is seriously injured.

“I’ve contacted the school to offer my support. My thanks to the emergency services who attended the scene.”

Meanwhile, Labour councillor for the Dulwich Wood ward, Andy Simmons tweeted: “Thoughts with the pupils, parents and staff of Rosemead School following a ceiling collapse this morning. Hoping that injuries are only minor. Thank you to all the hard working emergency services teams on site.”

School ‘working to understand’ what caused collapse

The school says it is “working closely with the authorities” to understand what caused the collapse.

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The chair of governors at the school, Nick Crawford, said: “There were no life-threatening injuries or life-changing injuries and the majority have been discharged.”

He explained how the school was “working closely with the authorities and relevant specialists to understand the cause” of the collapse.

Mr Crawford added: “This has been a worrying time for the children involved, their families and the wider school.

“We understand from initial examinations that there are no concerns regarding the rest of the building and we will work with the authorities regards any investigations to be undertaken.

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“I would sincerely like to thank members of staff, the emergency services and those who sent messages of support from the wider community.”

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