Park City High evacuated; 19 students, faculty members complain of respiratory distress

Photo: Gephardt Daily

PARK CITY, Utah, April 1, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Park City High School was evacuated Monday afternoon and 19 people subsequently complained of respiratory distress, officials said.

A tweet from Park City Fire District said officials were dispatched to the high school at 1750 Kearns Blvd. at approximately 2 p.m. for a possible gas leak.

“The school resource officer who was on scene assessed the situation and reported that he thought it was an unknown substance rather than a gas leak,” the tweet said.

PCFD personnel arrived on scene at approximately 2:05 p.m. and made entry into the building to assist with evacuation and investigation. Initial investigation with gas monitors were negative for explosives and carbon monoxide, the tweet said.

“Shortly after arrival of PCFD personnel we starting getting reports of people complaining of respiratory distress; burning in their lungs and abdominal cramping,” the tweet went on. “At last report, there were 19 people, students and faculty, complaining of symptoms with one transported by EMS.”

Hazmat crews were dispatched to the scene.

A student then contacted the school confessing they had released pepper spray. It’s not clear at this time if that student will be facing charges.

School will proceed as usual Tuesday, officials said.

Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.

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