A TOTAL of 13 children were injured today, four of them seriously, when a school heating duct collapsed as they were sitting an exam.

A TOTAL of 13 children were injured today, four of them seriously, when a school heating duct collapsed as they were sitting an exam.

The Year 9 pupils were in a sports hall at Minster College, in Minster Road on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, when the accident happened.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 9am.

Six teenagers were taken by ambulance to Medway Hospital, four of them with serious neck, head or back injuries.

The school was closed for the day and headteacher Alan Klee said arrangements were being made for pupils to be collected.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "We were called today at 9.14am to initial reports of a roof collapse at Minster College, Minster Road, Sheerness.

"We sent 11 vehicles to the scene. They included emergency ambulances, single responder cars and patient transport ambulances.

"There are currently 13 confirmed casualties, all of whom are teenagers.

"Four of the patients have serious neck, head and/or back injuries.

"The other nine have more minor injuries.

A spokesman from Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Gillingham said: "Medway NHS Foundation Trust has admitted 11 patients who sustained injuries at Minster College.

"At the moment there are no obvious serious injuries but investigations are ongoing.

"There are a number of head and neck conditions being assessed and families are here at the hospital.

"The hospital is coping with the current emergency and has adequate staff and facilities to care for those affected.''