04/10/2019
2:45 p.m. UPDATE: The number of students impacted by carbon monoxide poisoning has increased to 45, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands. Sands confirmed that six students went home and started experiencing delayed symptoms. The first set of students have already landed in Nassau and are en route to PMH.
12:40 p.m. UPDATE: 18 students are now being transported by air ambulance. There were eight students initially screened as critical; however, Health minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed the medical condition of ten other students have worsened.
UPDATE: There are 39 students being transported to Nassau for medical treatment. Eight students are in critical condition and will be taken by air ambulance. The remaining students will be sent over on several Pineapple Air flights as each minor will need to be accompanied by an adult, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.
Sands said the treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning requires oxygen therapy and/or hyperbaric chamber treatment. He said the island did not have the capacity to treat 39 people simultaneously.
In the interim, oxygen kits have been requested from the AUTEC base.
Eyewitness News Online understands the bus driver will not be transported to Nassau.
BREAKING - Officials are responding to an incident of carbon monoxide exposure in a school bus transporting 31 students in Fresh Creek, Andros. Eyewitness News can confirm there are no reported casualties at this time; however, at least two female students will need to be airlifted to the capital and eight are in critical condition. The students are now being screened at a local clinic.
For more, tune into Eyewitness News at 7 p.m. on Cable Channel 224, BTC Flow Channel 112, or Facebook live.
