Fayette student became ill after inhaling unknown substance on bus, district says

A Fayette County student became ill on a school bus Wednesday morning and was taken to the hospital after inhaling an unknown substance, district and school officials said.

A letter to families from Bryan Kennedy, program director of The Learning Center and Janice Wyatt-Ross, program director Success Academy, said twelve kids were on the bus when the student became ill.

First responders were called to the scene to evaluate the student, the letter said.

“As our team assisted the student, an FCPS Police Officer recovered evidence that may have contained an unknown substance,” the letter said. “To our knowledge, no other students had direct contact with the substance in question, however out of abundance of caution, other students who were nearby on the bus were also evaluated by emergency personnel.”

The incident started on a high school bus route, said district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith. Police and emergency personnel were at The Learning Center on Price Road until around 11 a.m.

“A student on an FCPS bus had a medical emergency,” said Davidson-Smith. “Parents were on scene when the child was transported to the hospital.”

Only one person was transported to a hospital, Davidson-Smith and Maj. Derek Roberts with the Lexington Fire Department said.

The district would not comment further due to HIPPA, Davidson-Smith said.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Davidson-Smith said the student had been treated and released.

Fayette County Public Schools police were handling the incident, Lexington police said.

The Learning Center provides “a nurturing environment for at-risk students,” according to the school website. Students in grades 8-12 attend.