On Monday, 18 May, a troubling incident unfolded in Summerville, South Carolina, where a group of elementary school students fell ill during a school field trip. Approximately 30 students from Eugene Sires Elementary School became unwell after consuming snacks at a local Cinemark cinema.
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The outing, which involved around 180 students, took a distressing turn as numerous children began to experience symptoms shortly after eating. Reports indicate that the affected students, many of whom were accompanied by chaperones, started vomiting during or immediately following the screening. While different news sources reported varying figures, WCSC indicated that up to 36 children were impacted, whereas WCIV and WRDW put the estimate at 32.
As soon as the situation was brought to the attention of school authorities by a supervising teacher, the district’s nursing staff promptly responded. Upon returning to school, those who exhibited symptoms were assessed and treated by the Emergency Medical Services and the school nurse.
In light of the event, the South Carolina Department of Public Health was informed, and an official investigation is now underway. This inquiry aims to determine the cause of the illnesses, although the specifics remain undisclosed as of yet. The health department confirmed to PEOPLE that it is looking into the incident and gathering relevant information.
Parents received reassurance from the school district in a message emphasising the safety and well-being of their children. The statement praised the quick action taken by healthcare personnel and school staff, highlighting their commitment to monitoring the ongoing situation and providing necessary support.
One parent, Ashley Williams, whose daughter was among those affected, described her concern upon receiving the distressing news. According to Williams, she initially received a phone call from an unknown number, mentioning that her daughter had fallen ill on the field trip and that both poison control and emergency services had been alerted due to a number of students feeling unwell. Fortunately, her daughter has since recovered.
A spokesperson for Dorchester School District Two, Amanda Sims, who oversees nursing and health services, characterised the incident as “unusual.” She acknowledged the district’s swift response, stating that this was not a typical occurrence within the school medical environment. While she refrained from speculating on the cause, Sims indicated that the investigation would be handled by the relevant agencies and expressed confidence in their ability to ensure a safe environment at establishments selling food to the public.
In the weeks leading up to the incident, the Cinemark on Ladson Road had received an ‘A’ rating during its most recent health inspection in February 2025, with all prior evaluations also scoring equally high.
As the investigation progresses, parents have been advised to seek further medical attention for their children if they continue to feel unwell. In the meantime, both Dorchester School District Two and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have yet to release further information regarding the ongoing investigation or respond to requests for comment.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with eating outside the home, particularly in the context of group activities such as school field trips. As the situation develops, both the local community and the parents remain on edge, waiting for further information regarding the health of their children and the conclusions of the investigation into the causes behind this alarming event.