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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sick pupils 'copied TV storyline' | |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Six teenage pupils have been taken to hospital with ethanol poisoning after copying a storyline they saw in a BBC school drama. | Six teenage pupils have been taken to hospital with ethanol poisoning after copying a storyline they saw in a BBC school drama. |
| Five girls and a boy are being treated after they found and consumed the pure alcohol on the premises of Aldridge School, Walsall, the council said. | Five girls and a boy are being treated after they found and consumed the pure alcohol on the premises of Aldridge School, Walsall, the council said. |
| The council said it is understood they had watched an episode of Waterloo Road in which pupils made ethanol cocktails. | |
| A BBC spokesman said the BBC1 series tackled issues of the day responsibly. | A BBC spokesman said the BBC1 series tackled issues of the day responsibly. |
| 'Very dangerous' | 'Very dangerous' |
| Councillor Rachel Walker, portfolio holder of children's services for Walsall Council said: "The BBC has taken a risk with their programming as they do with lots of their gritty storylines. | Councillor Rachel Walker, portfolio holder of children's services for Walsall Council said: "The BBC has taken a risk with their programming as they do with lots of their gritty storylines. |
| "It's unfortunate that the young people had access to the chemicals involved and did not take on board the further content of the programme." | "It's unfortunate that the young people had access to the chemicals involved and did not take on board the further content of the programme." |
| In the programme broadcast on Wednesday, a nurse repeatedly told the pupils they could die and told them it was very dangerous. | In the programme broadcast on Wednesday, a nurse repeatedly told the pupils they could die and told them it was very dangerous. |
| The council said it would now issue a warning to all schools to store their chemicals securely in light of the incident which happened at about 1400 GMT on Thursday. | The council said it would now issue a warning to all schools to store their chemicals securely in light of the incident which happened at about 1400 GMT on Thursday. |
| A spokesman for the BBC said: "Waterloo Road has always tackled serious issues of the day in a responsible manner. | A spokesman for the BBC said: "Waterloo Road has always tackled serious issues of the day in a responsible manner. |
| "Last night's episode clearly showed the dangers of using ethanol and did not glamorise it in any way. Each storyline is thoroughly researched using experts within their respective fields." | "Last night's episode clearly showed the dangers of using ethanol and did not glamorise it in any way. Each storyline is thoroughly researched using experts within their respective fields." |
| 'Potentially lethal' | 'Potentially lethal' |
| Dr Roger Cooke, medical director of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said ethanol was alcohol in its purest form. | Dr Roger Cooke, medical director of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said ethanol was alcohol in its purest form. |
| He said it was exceptionally strong and dangerous to consume and differed hugely from alcohol sold in licensed premises. | He said it was exceptionally strong and dangerous to consume and differed hugely from alcohol sold in licensed premises. |
| "Even a small amount of ethanol has the potential to kill because of its potency. | "Even a small amount of ethanol has the potential to kill because of its potency. |
| "Its intoxicating effects are felt much quicker and are more severe compared to alcohol sold in pubs, bars and off licences. | "Its intoxicating effects are felt much quicker and are more severe compared to alcohol sold in pubs, bars and off licences. |
| "Fortunately, on this occasion, the pupils were extremely lucky not to have suffered more serious medical complications," he said. | "Fortunately, on this occasion, the pupils were extremely lucky not to have suffered more serious medical complications," he said. |