Merrimack Student Burned in Science Experiment

MERRIMACK, N.H. - A chemistry experiment gone awry led to a student being burned and a portion of Merrimack High School being shut down on Wednesday. According to the Union Leader, a female student suffered burns on her hands after mixing potassium chlorate, sulphur, copper sulfate and charcoal for a project.

The school resource officer coordinated with the fire department’s dispatchers. Currier said he received critical information before arriving at the school, including the chemicals involved and the injured girl’s status.

That gave EMTs in the ambulance information they needed to understand the type of burns they would be dealing with, the chief said.

When emergency crews arrived, a teacher was already treating the burns by flushing water on the wounds, he said. Currier said the victim was conscious and alert when firefighters arrived and transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua.

To read the full story, visit the Union Leader.