May 11, 2009 12:16 pm US/Central
Prank Sickens Students At Lockport High School
'Chemical Improvised Device' To Blame
LOCKPORT, Ill. (CBS) ―
A student prank involving what school officials called a "chemical, improvised device" sent as many as 13 people to hospitals at Lockport Township High School, and prompted officials to place the school on lockdown.
The school later dismissed students early for the day.
As a prank, a student placed a chemical inside a 16-ounce plastic water bottle at the Lockport Township High School's Central Campus, 1222 Jefferson St. The bottle exploded, and was releasing black smoke and possible chemicals as students were starting the school day.
The explosion prompted officials to place the campus on lockdown around 7:42 a.m., and sent firefighters and ambulances to the school.
The school reported that 10 people – nine students and one staff member – were taken to hospitals as a precaution, but nobody was seriously injured. But Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet said the figures were even worse, reporting 13 victims from the school.
Ten have already been released, and spokeswoman Tracy Simons said the three others are in good condition and could be released soon.
Michael Cole was able to retrieve his son Courtney, who was mildly injured in the incident. School authorities called Cole and asked him to pick up Courtney and take him to a local hospital to be checked.
The freshman told his father that someone threw a pop bottle from the third floor onto students walking in a hallway below.
"It got all over some of them," Cole said.
School officials kept Courtney's shirt, which is covered with the substance, he said, before the father and son left for the hospital.
"He's fine right now, but he got splashed with a little bit of whatever it is," Cole said.
By just after 11 a.m., police had completed their initial search of Lockport Central, and did not find any more explosive devices. Officials had yet to find out who placed the bottle in the hallway.
Lockport Central students were dismissed for the rest of the day and the school was closed, so that police could go back and conduct a more thorough search of the school as their investigation continues.
The district's East Campus at 1333 E. Seventh St. also was searched as a precaution, district spokeswoman Kimberly Brehm said. That campus was placed on "Code Yellow," which restricts movement to essential personnel until Lockport police deem the building safe for students and staff members.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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