Nine children have been taken to hospital from the Civic Theatre in Invercargill after suddenly feeling unwell.
Invercargill's Civic Theatre Photo: Google Maps
St John ambulance spokesman Ian Henderson said four ambulances and rapid response vehicles were sent to the theatre on Esk Street about 1.30pm, after reports that a number of children were unwell.
Nine patients - all aged between 10 and 12 years old - had been taken to Southland Hospital's emergency department.
Mr Henderson said the incident was of a medical nature but was unable to say what was wrong with the children.
The Fire Service also sent three fire engines and checked the building for gas leaks but did not find any.
Theatre manager Kate Feaver said the children were among a group of several hundred primary school students rehearsing for the Invercargill Schools' Sing Out performance tonight.
She said one child fainted and then the rest, like a Mexican wave.
She said it appeared the pupils wilted under the heat of the stage lamps, which she said had also happened in previous years.
Ms Feaver said tonight's show would go ahead.
