Aquatic facility operations at three locations have been marred by chemical incidents and the hospitalisation of swimmers over the busy Easter long weekend.
Emergency services attended the H2O Xtream Aquatic Centre in Upper Hutt, north of Wellington, on Thursday afternoon to treat dozens of children who were left vomiting and struggling to breathe after a suspected chlorine spill.
11 of the children, who were on a school trip to the swimming pool, had to be hospitalised.
A registered nurse, who declined to give her name, who witnessed the incident, told New Zealand news outlet Stuff that she saw about 40 children go down a slide and then become ill. One boy, aged about nine, fainted.
The nurse advised “the students were coughing with red eyes, vomiting and fainting.
"Everyone that came down the slide had respiratory issues. Lots of them had really red, stinging eyes that had to be washed out."
A spokesperson for Wellington Free Ambulance, which sent three ambulances to the scene, said 15 patients had been treated.
Fire and Emergency Assistant Area Commander Martin Wilby told Stuff "we are confirming that this was associated with chlorine and are keeping it clear until we make sure."
Upper Hutt City Council, which runs the aquatic centre, said it had closed the pool "due to an air quality issue."
On Saturday, Paramedics treated 21 people after reports of a chlorine leak at the Apollo Bay Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed there were 14 patients, with two women flown to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital and another woman being transported to Geelong Hospital.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesperson Keith Pakenham said about 21 people were initially treated after being exposed to toxic fumes, but most would not require hospitalisation.
On Monday, media reports advised that 150 people were evacuated from the Hurstville Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s south after hydrochloric acid spill.
Three people, including a child, have been taken to hospital after “strong toxic smell” forced the evacuation of the facility around 10.15am yesterday morning.
A Georges River Council spokesperson said a faulty anti-siphoning valve was responsible for the incident explaining that the Centre was cleared after staff detected an odour caused by a faulty anti-siphoning valve in the plant room, which regulated acid usage.
The spokesperson advised “as a precaution, the NSW Ambulance Service was called to attend the site.”
Advising that reports of an "acid spill" were incorrect, she added "Council also commends the quick action of the Bluefit (the facility operator) staff of the centre in ensuring all customers and staff were evacuated promptly and safely.
"As always, the safety of customers, community and staff is the first priority."
NSW Ambulance Inspector David Stride told media “when a patient is exposed to any type of chemical there’s always an unknown to the extent of their injury.
“Incidents like this can happen in a matter of seconds so it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings.”
Image: Apollo Bay Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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