Sacred Heart School student critical after 'tragic incident'

Emergency services were called to Sacred Heart School about 8.35am. Photo / www.shsinv.school.nz

A 10-year-old boy is in a critical condition at Dunedin Hospital after "a tragic incident" at an Invercargill school this morning.

Emergency services were called to Sacred Heart School about 8.35am.

In a statement, police said the boy appeared to sustain a head injury as "the result of a tragic incident".

"Police and emergency services were called to an incident at around 8.35am this morning at an Invercargill School where a ten year-old boy has been left with serious injuries," said the statement issued this afternoon.

The boy was initially taken to Invercargill Hospital but was transferred to Dunedin Hospital this afternoon.

"Police staff are still trying to ascertain exactly what has occurred, but it appears this has been a tragic incident.

"Police are currently working with the school administration, the Ministry of Education and other emergency services to ascertain what exactly has happened."

Ministry of Education spokeswoman Katrina Casey said: "We've been advised of an incident this morning that left a 10-year-old Sacred Heart School student seriously injured.

"Police have launched a full inquiry into exactly what happened and are working with the school.

"Children, parents and staff are clearly very upset.

"We have two of our traumatic incident staff at the school to provide support and we will make that support available for as long as it is needed.

"Our thoughts are with the injured boy and his family."

Victim support was also working with the school.

The police statement said the school had asked for media to respect the privacy of its pupils and staff.

"While police are still investigating the circumstances behind this incident, police will not be conducting any interviews."