Hundreds of pupils evacuated from school

MORE than 300 pupils and staff at an Aberdeenshire primary were evacuated from the school yesterday because of a suspected gas leak.

The emergency evacuation of 340 pupils and 25 members of staff at Crombie Primary in Westhill was ordered yesterday morning after a suspected gas leak followed a complete power failure at the school.

The children were led to safety by teachers and taken to nearby Westhill Academy, where they were cared for by staff until they could be collected by their parents.

A spokeswoman from Aberdeenshire Council said: "In the interests of health and safety a decision was made to evacuate 340 pupils and 25 staff from Crombie Primary School this morning following a power cut and suspected gas leak."

She said an investigation was continuing into the incident.