Police: Student in critical condition after ingesting chemicals at Benson HS in Portland

Key Points:

• A 15-year-old student at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland was hospitalized in critical condition after mixing and ingesting chemicals brought from home in the school cafeteria, prompting a large emergency response and school evacuation.
• Emergency crews, including hazmat and EMS teams, responded to the incident around 8:30 a.m., treated the student on-site, and transported him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital; the student remains alive but in critical condition.
• The school was evacuated to nearby athletic fields, with classes canceled for the day and the following day, resuming normal operations on Thursday; students and staff were offered counseling and support services.
• Authorities conducted a hazardous materials cleanup to neutralize spilled chemicals and performed security sweeps, including checks for explosives, with police investigating any potential criminal links and monitoring related social media posts.
• Officials advised anyone potentially exposed to the chemicals to change clothes, shower, get fresh air, and seek medical attention if symptoms like nausea, headache, or breathing difficulties occur; mental health resources were also provided.