Pepper-spray incident on bus causes minor illness to several students

A Perryville Elementary School student released pepper spray on the floor of a bus Friday morning, and the fumes from the spray caused some students to suffer minor injuries, according to a Perry County School District news release.

“This was a case of a curious child who had no malicious intent,” Perry County schools superintendent Andy Comstock said in a news release. “The child was not trying to hurt anyone, but we have taken disciplinary action because this is a serious matter. The student is very upset that their action caused pain for their friends and the bus driver.”

The student released the spray on bus No. 20 carrying about 40 students ages 6 to 16 at 7:28 a.m. as it was arriving on the campus, according to the release. Students of all ages ride buses together because Perry County schools are next to each other, public information officer Kate Martin said.

Comstock said the student found the pepper spray but did not find it in his or her home, according to the release.

Nurse Yvonne Spears characterized all of the injuries as minor. Six children experienced respiratory issues or itching after the incident, and all of those students were of elementary-school age, according to the news release and Martin.

Students had the option to wash themselves at the nurse’s offices, and many changed clothes before heading to class, according to the release.

One elementary student was taken to the Perry County Memorial Hospital by his or her parents to be evaluated, according to the release. Parents of the all students on the bus were notified, and some came to pick up their students, according to the release.

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in this incident, and our driver and staff acted quickly to help our children,” Comstock said in the release.

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