Update 3pm:
Four students have been taken to hospital after being hit by a falling tree branch this afternoon.
It’s believed around seven students were sitting under the tree in the playground when the incident happened.
All were assessed by paramedics at the scene but only four were taken to hospital.
Firefighters used a chainsaw to cut the branch as some of the students remained trapped underneath.
Vision from the scene showed teachers holding a tarpaulin over the students to shield them from the sun.
It’s not the first time a child has been injured or killed by falling tree branches at a NSW public school.
In 2014 eight-year-old schoolgirl Bridget Wright was killed by a falling tree branch while at Pitt Town Public School.
Following her death the Department of Education and Communities paid for schools to hire a qualified arborist to review the condition of trees, including at schools across the Sutherland Shire.
A Department of Education spokesman said counselling and support would be available for affected students
‘’In line with Departmental requirements, the school regularly has the trees on the grounds inspected by a qualified arborist,’’ he said.
‘’The Department is currently looking into the circumstances of this incident.’’
Earlier:
At least four Heathcote High School students have been injured after a tree branch fell earlier today.
Emergency services were called to the school on The Avenue at 1:30pm after reports of a tree branch snapping and falling.
Four female students, aged in their late teens, were injured.
An Ambulance NSW spokeswoman said the all four suffered minor injuries including head and back injuries.
It comes on the first day back for most students returning after the summer holidays.
