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The families of two students who had their throats slashed with a razor during a school production of Sweeney Todd have received an apology from the school, a year after the near-fatal incident.
Key Points:
- Two students' throats were slashed during production of Sweeney Todd in April 2016
- The prop used was reportedly a genuine razor blade covered in tape
- Saint Kentigern College admits it "should have done more to acknowledge the seriousness" of the accident
St Kentigern College was presenting a production of the musical about the demon barber of Fleet Street, but amusement turned to horror when two of the students had their throats sliced during a scene.
The school told local media at the time that the prop used in the incident on April 6, 2016, was a genuine straight razor with its edge covered by tape.
St Kentigern College ignored warnings against using a real razor blade in the production, New Zealand Herald reported at the time.
A WorkSafe New Zealand report found the school breached the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 by failing to ensure the health and safety of students was not put at risk and ordered the school to make amends to the affected students and their families.
"Two students suffered serious physical injury after sustaining serious lacerations to their throats," the report said.
"There is a possibility that the two injured students, and the student who played the Sweeney Todd character, may also in the future suffer emotional or psychological injuries because of the incident."
The boys were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and further performances of the production were cancelled.
A WorkSafe New Zealand enquiry ordered the school to make amends to the affected students and their families.
'We accept we should have done more'
The school has issued a statement a year to the day later, saying it was sorry for the blunder and the "emotional and physical harm" it caused to the families involved.
"Many of you will recall the serious accident that took place last year on the opening night of the college musical… during which two students were very seriously injured," the school said.
"This was a difficult and most distressing time for the boys and their families, and the staff and other students involved in the production."
The school has since entered into an enforceable undertaking agreement, an alternative to civil or legal action, with WorkSafe New Zealand.
"St Kentigern accepts that it should have done more to acknowledge the seriousness of what happened immediately after the accident," the school said.
"The injuries were not minor. The injuries were significant and life threatening."
St Kentigern College's 2017 student production went ahead with a staging of Les Miserables last week.
Topics: accidents, opera-and-musical-theatre, new-zealand