MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Principal of Bellefield High, Paul Grant, has dispelled rumours that a group of fifth form students preparing for exams, who suffered panic attacks at the school, were possessed by demonic forces on Friday.

“I am dispelling the rumours, but I am admitting that we did have panic attacks among some students… On the morning shift and our nurse, dean, guidance counsellors, and myself dealt with the matter, it is under control… The students who were considered to be having the attacks, we got them calm and to the sick bay,” he said.

Bellefield High is located a few miles north east of Mandeville.

Grant explained that the students, all girls, were in class about 9:00am when they simultaneously had panic attacks.

He added that the students are doing School Based Assessments (SBAs).

“SBAs tend to create additional stress on students. Primarily it (panic attack) was dealt with by the counsellors and the dean of discipline and myself. The students recuperated. Their parents came for them and they were sent home. The morning shift was dismissed [at the usual time],” said Grant.