BENSON – Students at Benson Elementary School, on NC Highway 50 North, were sent home Friday morning after a construction crew severed a natural gas line behind the school.
A contractor building an addition at the school accidentally cut the gas line while doing work with an excavator. Piedmont Natural Gas responded and contained the gas leak.
Benson Fire Department, Johnston County EMS, and Johnston County Emergency Management responded.
Benson elementary students were immediately moved outside the school building, and later into buses where they were transported to Benson Middle School on US 301, where they were picked up by their parents.
One elementary student complained of not feeling well and was evaluated by paramedics. The student was turned over to a parent.
Fire department and gas company representatives checked the air quality in the main school building and mobile classrooms before allowing teachers and administrators inside.
Benson Police Department assisted with traffic control.
On October 4, eight students were transported to the hospital after a mechanical issue caused a gas leak outside Johnston County Public Schools Choice Plus Academy at 501 South Second Street in Smithfield.
Glad no one was injured.