Banner Elk college dorm reopens after suspected gas leak hospitalized students

BANNER ELK, N.C. — An Avery County college dorm reopened Saturday night after it was evacuated and dozens of students got sick and were taken to the hospital Friday morning.

The incident happened at Lees-McRae College inside the Avery Residence Hall in Banner Elk.

Officials told Channel 9's Dave Faherty more than 60 students were taken to three local hospitals to be evaluated.

Students told Channel 9 they smelled a strange odor, and they began getting sick.

Some students said they were treated with oxygen at the hospital, but there were no serious reactions.

"As I was walking up and down the halls and checking on everybody, I started to feel nauseous and light-headed, so I had to go outside and take a breather because I was getting really sick," resident assistant Cassie McFayden said.

"I started getting a really bad headache and felt like I was going to throw up. I also had to be transported to the hospital because I had a level of eight out of 10 carbon monoxide in me," Resident Director Kara Cunningham said.

By lunchtime Friday, all the students were out of the hospital, authorities said.

Crews spent Friday and Saturday investigating the building but found no gas leaks. Officials said all the carbon monoxide detectors were working and said they could not figure out what led to the issue.

"We don't know at this time if it was a natural gas problem or whether it's potential carbon monoxide from another source," President Dr. Lee King said. "We'll know more firm details from the experts who are investigating."

Officials said they did increase ventilation and installed new carbon monoxide detectors in the building.

The school said in a statement that the dorm has been cleared and reopened Saturday at 8 p.m.

No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information. 

Cox Media Group