By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A middle school field trip to Mount St. Helens today was delayed when the bus driver was overcome by pepper spray discharged by a 13-year-old on the bus as they traveled down Interstate 5 through Chehalis.
The 28-year-old driver began to have problems breathing and was able to safely pull the bus over near the Labree Road interchange before she became overwhelmed, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The bus was carrying 46 children from Tumwater, according to the state patrol. It happened about 9:30 a.m.
Five of them plus the driver were treated for exposure; she was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, Sgt. Doug Pardue said in a news release.
Pardue noted three of the students received medical attention, but it’s not clear what that was beyond being examined by first responders.
Troopers determined the 13-year-old who sprayed it gave it to a 12-year-old to hide, who passed it another 12-year-old, according to the state patrol.
The district sent another bus to retrieve the students who were able to continue on with the field trip, according to Pardue.
The three were taken back to Tumwater and released to school officials, he stated.
The incident remains under investigation.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter