Blood Talk Causes Chain Reaction Of Fainting At MA High School

TYNGSBOROUGH, MA – Talk of blood during a biology class at a Massachusetts high school Friday led to a chain reaction of fainting among students, public safety officials in Tyngsborough said. Three students at the Greater Lowell Technical School were evaluated by EMTs after fainting during what investigators believe was a "psychosomatic," or stress-induced, event.

Police said shortly after 9 a.m. the class began discussing genetics, which led to the topic of blood and blood types. A male student got up to get a drink of water and fainted. This resulted in another male student and a female student fainting, Tyngsborough Police Chief Richard Howe and Fire Chief Wes Russell said in a joint statement.

The school was evacuated "out of an abundance of caution" and the students, who regained consciousness, were examined at the scene. Two of them were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

None of the students were physically injured. The classroom was inspected for issues such as a potential chemical release, illness or environmental hazard. Crews did not find any potential cause for concern, according to the statement.

Classes resumed as scheduled Friday.

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