Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit officials said Wednesday afternoon they are investigating how a high school student with special needs was left on one of its vans.

Dr. Elaine E. Eib, CLIU executive director, said the student was left on a van unattended for an extended period of time. When Palmerton Borough Police were called to the scene early Wednesday afternoon, a Carbon County dispatcher said the student had been left there for four hours.

“The student is being evaluated and the initial report we received is that the student is doing well,” Eib said. “We are extremely thankful for this report. The Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit is currently investigating all facts related to this very serious matter.”

In a statement to the media, Eib said the CLIU strongly emphasizes child safety and well-being in the education and transportation of all of its students.

“What occurred today is a matter of the utmost concern to us and we will do everything possible to investigate how this occurred,” she said.

The CLIU has been in contact with the student’s guardian and Eib said the outreach would continue.

“The Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit has procedures and protocols to ensure all students have vacated a vehicle before the driver leaving a vehicle unattended and to ensure student safety,” she said. “Our comprehensive investigation will continue.”