17 Students Treated in Loudoun School Bus Gas Leak: LCSO

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Seventeen Harmony Middle School students were transported to a local hospital as a "precautionary measure" this morning, Sept. 22, because of a gas leak in a school bus, according to a Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) spokesperson.

Deputies say that LCSO assisted Loudoun County Fire and Rescue in reference to the school bus that had mechanical failure at the location of Berlin Turnpike and Wright Farm Road in Purcellville.

"The initial call to emergency services was for a bus fire, but when emergency services arrived the status was changed to smoke and a gas leak per the commander at the scene," according to Eric Stewart, the principal of Harmony Middle School, in a message sent to out to parents.

"Students were immediately removed from Bus 177 for assessment. The primary concern for those being seen by emergency medical services were symptoms from being exposed to fumes. After each student was assessed at the scene, it was determined that none had serious injuries. I accompanied 17 students to the Pediatric Unit at Lansdowne Inova where they are being examined as a safety precaution. The bus driver was transported to the emergency room at Cornwall Inova with non-life-threatening symptoms."

According to Stewart, 15 students continued to Harmony to attend school. The students reported no issues at the scene to emergency services and have been checked by the school nurse.

All parents with students on Bus 177 have been contacted, according to a Loudoun County Public Schools spokesperson.