Four students at North Central High School in Farmersburg, Indiana were injured in a chemistry class experiment that took place outside of the school on Tuesday, according to the Tribune-Star.
David Hooper told the newspaper that his son, Ethan, a senior, suffered second and third-degree burns on his left arm from his elbow to his fingertips and face.
Ethan Hooper was airlifted to the Eskenazi Health burn center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and will require skin graft surgery to heal the burns. He has remained hospitalized at the burn center since the accident.
Nancy Liston, the school's principal, said that the three other students suffered minor cuts and burns in the experiment during an Advanced Placement chemistry class, and have been released from a local hospital.
"We're also concerned for the others that were involved in the accident, that they are okay," David Hooper said on Wednesday.
He told the newspaper that his son will have surgery on Friday, and that doctors hope Ethan's face will heal on its own without the use of skin grafts.
David Hosick, director of public affairs with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, told the Tribune-Star that two investigators from the Indiana State Fire Marshall's office are helping the investigation.
"We have been called in by local fire officials to assist with the investigation," Hosick said.
Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom said, "There was a flash fire and explosion," during the experiment, despite the class having done it before without any accidents. Cottom added that they are looking in to if the chemical containers were labeled correctly before the accident occurred.
David Hooper posted more information about the accident on the Tribune-Star Facebook page.
"The chemicals used the day prior [Monday] was in fact used in an experiment done many times over the years," Hooper said. "However, the next day, one of the chemicals was replaced by another for a first time experiment. My son just happened to be the one completing the experiment by lighting it.
"Not only was he injured but was lifelined to Indy burn center and will have to go into skin graft surgeries and therapy. Our thoughts are with the others injured as well. No one wishes injury on their child. This is a tragic incident. However there are facts missing/twisted and we are still trying process what has happened ourselves."
Mark Baker, the Northeast School Corp. superintendent, issued a statement via email, saying the school is hoping that the students all recover in a timely manner.
"The school corporation regrets the accident that occurred," Baker said. "We are cooperating fully with the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office as they investigate the incident. We wish the students involved a full and speedy recovery."
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