A show-and-tell occasion at a junior school located in Hampshire met with calamity when a student presented a historical explosive artifact.
This afternoon, at 1.30 PM, Orchard Junior School in Dibden Purlieu was evacuated following the revelation of the item in class.
A representative from the police stated: ‘The evacuation of the school proceeded smoothly, and a disposal unit was deployed to remove the object for safe destruction.’
In an effort to inform parents about the incident, an email detailed the item as a ‘historical incendiary device.’
However, a more distressing message dispatched to parents warned: ‘Schools are being shut down & evacuated – please collect your child from Noadswood field ASAP.’
Among those affected was Laura Holloway, a mother of a student at the school, who felt alarmed by the abrupt notification.
She expressed: ‘It was incredibly concerning.’
During her 20-minute drive to the school, she conveyed feelings of being ‘shaken’ and as though her mind was in ‘overdrive.’
She remarked to the Southern Daily Echo: ‘Another parent contacted me, mentioning that police were everywhere. I realized my youngest must have been terrified.’
However, Laura acknowledged that the school staff managed the situation professionally, ensuring that students were lined up securely outside.
Other parents reported their children were left in tears when they arrived to retrieve them.
A spokesperson from the school commented: ‘The police responded to an incident today where a possible unexploded ordnance was brought to school for show and tell purposes.’
‘All appropriate procedures were followed by the school regarding this incident, ensuring the safety of every pupil and staff member was upheld throughout.’
‘The device has now been successfully removed from the school premises.’
The police reported: ‘We were alerted at approximately 1.30 PM concerning a child who had brought in what might be an unexploded ordnance to Orchard Junior School.’
‘The evacuation of the school occurred smoothly, and a disposal team was summoned to safely remove the object for precautionary measures.’
Contact our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For further articles like this, visit our news page.
