Four kids sent to hospital after bear spray released in Montreal schoolyard

Twenty-two Quebec schoolchildren were treated after one of them unleashed a can of bear spray found in the schoolyard.

The incident took place at Alphonse-Desjardins Elementary School in the city’s east end.

READ MORE: Bizarre ‘bear spray fight’ leads to air gun shooting on Magnus Avenue

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Paramedics with the Urgences-Santé ambulance service say four of the 22 children were sent to hospital to be treated for symptoms including vomiting, persistent cough and burning eyes.

Spokesperson Stephan Gascon says the other 18 students were treated at the scene and released into their parents’ care.

READ MORE: Regina police charge boy following alleged bear spray incident

The school remains open as the incident, which occurred at about 8 a.m., happened outside the school.

Authorities say a student found a can of bear spray on school property and inadvertently set it off, spraying the other children