Wentzville gas leak repairs underway, students safe

KSDK -- A natural gas pipeline ruptured in Wentzville Wednesday morning, forcing the evacuation of three schools. No one was injured, but school officials were pretty concerned for a while.

The rupture happened just before 8:30 a.m. near three schools on east Highway N. The gas main is owned by Ameren.

Authorities say a construction worker was conducting an excavation near the entrance to Boone Trail Elementary School when he hit a six-inch gas main. Only a few staff members were in the building at the time.

An estimated 100 special needs students and several staff members were evacuated from nearby South Middle School.

Some staff members were also evacuated from Timberland High School, although no classes were in session.

The students from South Middle were shuttled over to Frontier Middle School for the rest of the day.

Superintendent Terry Adams says everything should be back to normal on Thursday.