Grave fears eight students stabbed with a dirty syringe by their 'prankster' classmate could have contracted deadly HIV virus

  • Eight students received medical attention after being pricked with a syringe 
  • Emergency services were called to Plumpton High School in Sydney's west 
  • New South Wales Police say they were told the student was performing a prank
  • Two victims were taken to hospital while the others undergo blood tests
  • They face a nervous wait to find out they've contracted HIV or hepatitis

By Kylie Stevens and Alex Chapman For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:02 EDT, 25 October 2018 | Updated: 07:14 EDT, 25 October 2018

Eight students now face an anxious wait after they were pricked with a syringe in what their classmate thought was a funny prank.

The boys aged 13-15 from Plumpton High School in Sydney's west underwent blood tests on Thursday afternoon following the incident.

It will be several months and further blood tests before they will find out whether they've contracted HIV or hepatitis transmitted through the hypodermic needle.

Parents rushed to Plumpton High School after hearing reports eight boys were pricked with a syringe by a classmate

Parents rushed to Plumpton High School after hearing reports eight boys were pricked with a syringe by a classmate

 NSW Ambulance Inspector Joe Ibahim believes the risk was low but may have serious consequences.

'Worst case would be HIV and hepatitis, but that will be assessed by medical physicians at the hospital and the medical centres,' he said. 

 'It's concerning for the parents, it's concerning for the teachers, it's certainly concerning for the students.'

The year 9 student, 14, responsible is understood to have found the needle at a nearby bus stop on the way to school, according to fellow students.

'He's come to school and like a few of his mates, his own mates, and then given them high-fives with the needle in his hand,' Troy Masters told 7 News.

'He poked them and then he stabbed a few kids.' 

Troy said the victims were initially weren't worried until the student told them he had found the needle in the street.

'He's come to school and like a few of his mates, his own mates, and then given them high-fives with the needle in his hand,' Troy Masters (pictured) said

'He's come to school and like a few of his mates, his own mates, and then given them high-fives with the needle in his hand,' Troy Masters (pictured) said

Kirstie Nowland (pictured) was one of many parents left shocked by the incident

Kirstie Nowland (pictured) was one of many parents left shocked by the incident

Concerned parents rushed to the school following reports of the incident.

'All I know is that kids have been hurt,' one parent said.

Fellow parent Kirstie Nowland added: 'It's something a two or three-year-old may do but not a 14-year-old child. It's disgusting, they carry so many diseases and kids shouldn't be touching them.'

Emergency services were called to Plumpton High School (pictured) in Sydney's west just before noon on Thursday

Emergency services were called to Plumpton High School (pictured) in Sydney's west just before noon on Thursday

Another parent, who asked not to be named, said the school was locked down after the incident and left 'everyone' scared. 

She was angry and concerned that such an event could take place at the school.

'We didn't even get told [by the school]. I found out on the live news feed,' she told Fairfax Media.

Police attended Plumpton High School, where eight students were stabbed with a syringe

Police attended Plumpton High School, where eight students were stabbed with a syringe

 'At this stage, we believe it was a prank gone wrong, maybe childish behaviour,' Mount Druitt Police Acting Inspector Shane Rolls said

 'At this stage, we believe it was a prank gone wrong, maybe childish behaviour,' Mount Druitt Police Acting Inspector Shane Rolls said

Many students were picked up by distraught parents who slammed the act as 'disgusting'

Many students were picked up by distraught parents who slammed the act as 'disgusting'

Emergency services were called to the school and four ambulance crews subsequently made their way to the scene.

Paramedics found a number of students suffering from minor injuries to their hands and legs.

Two victims were taken to hospital by ambulance as a precautionary measure.

The Department of Education said the school will take serious disciplinary action against the student involved.

One student saw the offender conceal the syringe between his fingers and offered high-fives

One student saw the offender conceal the syringe between his fingers and offered high-fives

NSW Police spoke with the student on Thursday afternoon and haven't ruled out laying charges.

'At this stage, we believe it was a prank gone wrong, maybe childish behaviour,' Mount Druitt Police Acting Inspector Shane Rolls told reporters.

'But we will certainly be looking into whether there was any malicious intent involved during this incident.'

The eight students will undergo blood testing to ensure diseases haven't been transmitted

The eight students will undergo blood testing to ensure diseases haven't been transmitted

Two students were taken to hospital in ambulance as a 'precautionary' measure

Two students were taken to hospital in ambulance as a 'precautionary' measure

Advertisement

Grave fears eight students stabbed with syringe by ‘prankster’ classmate could have contracted HIV

Most watched News videos

Comments 1

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.