Gas leak sends NC students, teachers to hospital

COLUMBUS, N.C. — Authorities say 27 students and five teachers were treated for carbon monoxide exposure caused by a heating system defect at a western North Carolina school.

The victims experienced dizziness, headaches and difficulty breathing. The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Tuesday that school system spokeswoman Stacey Stafford said there were no serious injuries.

The leak occurred at Polk County’s Virtual Early College, a school where high school students study college courses online.

Officials said the early college would be closed Tuesday while workers repair the heating system. Facility manager Jim Patterson said there was a problem that allowed the exhaust gas to get into the heating system.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)