Popular tourist destination Waterworld in Stoke is still shut after over 100 people were evacuated from the centre on Wednesday June 8. Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, an air ambulance, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the incident at around 2pm yesterday. But Waterworld described the emergency response as a 'huge over-reaction' and 'incredibly distressing for our customers and our staff'.
Two people were taken to hospital and 46 treated at the scene, in Festival Park, after visitors reported 'eye and throat irritation and nausea'. Bosses also said that emergency services inspected the venue yesterday and 'found nothing of concern'. It remains closed today 'as a matter of precaution', reports Stoke on Trent Live.
Read more: Sadness as friendly cafe which only recently opened appears to close
In a statement issued on social media, the attraction said it will be shut today. But they expect to be back open on Friday.
A spokesman said: "This is just a polite reminder that we will now be closed today. Please do not make the trip if you have pre-booked tickets for Thursday 9th June, you will have already received an email notifying you about this.
"We expect to be open as normal from tomorrow (Friday 10th June). Thank you for your patience."
Waterworld was evacuated yesterday afternoon after reports people were feeling unwell. The Festival Way site was descended upon by Staffordshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, an air ambulance, and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The decision to evacuate the building was taken 'as a precaution', the police said, adding that the incident was 'in hand'. But Staffordshire Police asked that people avoid the area while the incident was dealt with.
According to the force, there were reports of 'a number of visitors feeling unwell', saying they had been suffering from eye and throat irritations and nausea.
A police spokesman said: "We are currently in attendance at Waterworld, on Festival Way. Colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and paramedics are also at the scene following reports of a number of visitors feeling unwell. Visitors have reported eye and throat irritation and nausea.
"The building has been evacuated as a precaution. The emergency services have the incident in hand and urge members of the public to avoid the area. We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time."
In a later statement the police added: "We continue to support colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service as they assess those who have presented as unwell at the scene. The majority of individuals have been issued with advice by medical staff and discharged.
"The park is currently closed to visitors. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed along with Stoke-on-Trent City Council who are also in attendance."
Two ambulances, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics, four paramedic officers, a BASICS emergency doctor and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a doctor and a critical care paramedic on board also attended the scene.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were called at 1.55pm to reports of people feeling unwell. An ambulance service spokesman said: "Waterworld was evacuated after a number of people inside began displaying minor symptoms, including watery eyes, a runny nose, and nausea. A total of 110 people evacuated from the building who were displaying symptoms were rapidly triaged by the team of ambulance medics.
"Once triaged, 46 out of the 110 people received treatment by ambulance staff at the scene before being discharged. A man and a woman were conveyed to hospital for further checks as a precaution.
"This was a well-managed tri-service response which saw the safe and speedy evacuation of a large number of people. Thankfully no one involved was in a serious condition. Investigations into the cause of the incident continue."
In a statement last night Waterworld said there was a 'huge over-reaction' to the incident. A spokesman said: "This has been completely blown out of proportion. The huge over-reaction from emergency services was incredibly distressing for our customers and our staff.
"We had received a small number of reports from customers about irritation to their eyes and throat, and were dealing with the situation. At no time was there any need for the emergency services to be called.
"Despite stringent tests from our in-house team, and the emergency services using their own specialist equipment, no harmful gases, liquids or other substances of any kind were found in the water, and air samples for chlorine gas levels came back as normal.
"We will be closing Waterworld tomorrow as a precautionary measure, however, to carry out further tests. The safety and comfort of our guests is always our number one priority."
