Chapin, S.C. Concern Grows Over School Incident Involving Backpack
A medical incident at Chapin High School sparked concern and rumors on Wednesday, leading to a wave of speculation in the community. Principal Ed Davis addressed the situation in an email sent out the following day.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. when a school resource officer (SRO) began searching a backpack that had been left in a classroom. According to a report from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD), the SRO suddenly experienced chest pains and shortness of breath during the search. Additionally, several other staff members reported feelings of dizziness and light-headedness after coming into contact with the bag.
Emergency Response
In response to these alarming symptoms, school officials quickly notified local authorities. The Lexington County Hazardous Materials Unit was dispatched to the scene and began testing the bag for unsafe substances around 1 p.m. Fortunately, the unit reported no hazardous materials were found inside the backpack, and the school received an all-clear status by approximately 1:45 p.m.
All individuals who reported symptoms during the incident received on-site medical attention and were cleared to return to their duties afterward.
Community Rumors
In light of the incident, rumors began swirling in the Chapin community, with many speculating about a possible fentanyl exposure on campus. Principal Davis emphasized in his email that there have been no first-hand accounts, police reports, or any official documents indicating that anyone was actually exposed to fentanyl or other harmful materials during the event. He highlighted that the origin of these rumors remains unclear.
Unrelated Student Medical Emergency
Additionally, it was noted that there was an unrelated incident where emergency medical services (EMS) responded to a student experiencing a medical emergency, although details regarding that student have not been released.
The school community can take some comfort in knowing that proper precautions were taken during this medical incident, and officials are committed to maintaining a safe environment for students and staff alike.
