Students critical after 'drug overdose' at Gold Coast school
Four boys are fighting for life and three more are in hospital after a suspected drug overdose in a Gold Coast schoolyard.
All took an unknown substance during their lunch break before they began vomiting and losing consciousness.
Police and paramedics rushed to St Stephen's College in Upper Coomera around 12.45pm to find seven Year 10 boys sick from taking an unknown substance.
The boys, aged 14 and 15, were rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital, with two stable, one serious and four in a critical condition.
Panicked parents arrived at school as word got out.
Upper Coomera: Four Saint Stephen's College students critical after over dosing on a substance. One other student is serious and two are ok. #7News https://t.co/FV7jVQsiT0
— 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) February 21, 2018
"We heard a lady come in and say 'where's my son, where's my son, heard he's vomiting'," one parent said.
Police and paramedics at the scene said circumstances around the event were still unclear but they were "leaning towards" an overdose.
"We are making inquiries as to whether or not they purchased it off the internet," Queensland police Acting Inspector Tony Wormald said.
Authorities are awaiting toxicology results but sources have told Seven News it could be a drug called Phenibut.
The strong sedative affects the central nervous system and is slow acting, so often people mistakenly take a second dose.
Last year Australia's therapeutic goods administration announced its intention to make Phenibut a prohibited substance.
St Stephen's Principal Jamie Dorrington said he would visit the students in hospital later on Wednesday.
"Our primary concern at the moment is to ensure their wellbeing, which I'm confident is being looked after," Mr Dorrington said.
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Seven News understands that the four students in critical condition have been intubated.
The other three are also likely to be intubated, although their condition is not as serious.
"It's just Russian roulette," Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic Pat Berry said after the suspected overdose.
"No such thing as recreational drugs."
The families of all the boys have been contacted and several students are being spoken to by police.