Students on bus to Independence Elementary treated for pepper-spray exposure

HORIZON WEST  Seven elementary-school students were treated by first responders Tuesday, March 13, after pepper spray was released on an Orange County school bus. 

Bus 1811 was en route to Independence Elementary, Orange County Public Schools officials said, when a student deployed the pepper spray. 

The incident occurred around Summerlake Park Boulevard and Reams Road, according to a tweet from Orange County Fire Rescue. First responders said they treated seven students for exposure to the spray, and another 37 were considered non-patients.

Independence Elementary Principal Angela Murphy-Osborne sent a Connect Orange call to parents to inform them of the incident.

“Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orange County Fire Department evacuated the bus and checked out the children,” Murphy-Osborne said. “I responded to the bus to assist students, as well as Mrs. Oats, the assistant principal. Another bus picked up the students to bring them to school. …As always, the safety of our students and staff is always a priority…” 

Everyone treated refused transport to the hospital, first responders said.