Child sustains life-threatening injuries in school ceiling collapse
A girl was left with life-threatening injuries after a ceiling collapsed in a school sports hall.
There were about 40 people in the sports hall ceiling at Southwood Middle School in Bryony Place, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, when an 8ft by 5ft section of the ceiling collapsed at just after 3.30pm today, Thames Valley Police said.
Two children were injured.
Acting Superintendent Vince Grey said: "Our priority is the two children who have been injured by the collapse of the ceiling.
"South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) was called to the scene and treated one child who had minor injuries.
"Thankfully, the child did not require treatment at hospital.
"Another child was assessed and treated at the scene by SCAS for life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
"Our thoughts are with the child and their family at this extremely difficult time.
"The area was evacuated following the partial collapse of the ceiling.
"At the time of the collapse, there were about 40 people in the sports hall.
"It is possible that the collapse of the ceiling was caused by the adverse weather conditions that the country has been experiencing overnight and into today.
"However, we will be conducting a joint-investigation with Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service to determine the cause.
"Representatives from Milton Keynes Council also attended the scene."
Police said a cordon is in place at the scene but no other buildings have been affected.
A school spokesman said: "We are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities in this investigation.
"Our thoughts are of course with this child and her family at this very difficult time."
A message on the school's website says: "Unfortunately there has been an incident at Southwood School today where a part of the internal ceiling of the hall has fallen.
"We have been checked by Health and Safety officers who have confirmed that the building is safe, but obviously the hall will be out of use for some time."
The school will open on Friday.
