Martin, Tenn.–Multiple emergency response vehicles responded to Martin Primary School this morning when it became apparent that a swarm of bees was attacking students who were outside playing.
Tracey Bell, Principal of Martin Primary School, said that the incident occurred mid-morning; “…While our first grade students were outside for recess a swarm of bees appeared and ultimately stung more than 20 of our children.”
Bell noted that teachers reacted quickly to remove students from the area. “Our staff did a great job in following our procedures to assess our students’ needs, to obtain help quickly and to provide comfort and reassurance to those who were affected.” She added that, thanks to the response of the Martin Fire Department, the Weakley County Ambulance Service, SRO Adam Stringer, the Martin Police Department and staff from Martin Elementary School and other schools, they were able to quickly employ a triage system and provide first aid to those students who had been stung.
“…We are thankful that none of our students needed to be transported to the hospital. We’re also thankful to have resources on hand such as epi-pens and other first aid supplies; we have school nurses and other staff trained in first aid/CPR and the best emergency response professionals around.”
Parents of the affected children were called and were allowed to go home for the remainder of the day.
Although it’s not known what precipitated the attack Bell wanted to assure MPS parents that the school does take precautions to ensure the playground is safe. Bell made an “all call” to Martin Primary School parents informing them of the incident and sent a letter home to families as well.
Bell commented that Weakley County Schools’ maintenance staff had recently sprayed the area as a routine precautionary measure. Maintenance staff were out on the playground immediately after the morning incident spraying potential nesting areas again.
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