Escalator accident at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Witnesses described a scene of chaos with at least one of the victims screaming in pain after an escalator accident injured several people at Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan on Thursday.

At least 10 people suffered injuries, one seriously, when a second floor escalator abruptly stopped, causing students to tumble down at about 3:45 p.m., the FDNY said.

One student had part of his big toe amputated in the incident.  Medics brought the victims to  area hospitals.

"The safety of students and staff is our top priority," city Department of Education spokeswoman Miranda Barbot said in a statement.

She classified the incident as "serious" and said families were being provided with "additional support".  Students were sent home early.

It was unclear what caused the incident.  It was still under investigation.