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By Andy Rose, CNN
Around 65 people were sickened Saturday afternoon at a Houston-area water park in what local officials called a chemical incident.
“In the area around the kiddie pool in this water park, a lifeguard was sick, and soon after that, more and more people began becoming sick,” Harris County Judge Lina Hildalgo said in a news conference outside Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, Texas.
“What began as a fun family day has turned into very much a nightmare for many families,” she said.
Public health officials are ordering the park to remain closed until they determine exactly what happened.
Splashtown closed after 65 people decontaminated after chemical leak, officials say
Updated:
Chemical Leak at Splashtown in Spring
About 65 people were treated Saturday afternoon after a chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, according to local officials. Investigators believe the leak was some sort of mixture of bleach and sulfuric acid.
According to Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, 26 people were taken to the hospital while 39 refused transport. Officials said those affected were decontaminated before being allowed to leave the park.
Officials said fire crews responded to Splashtown around 2:30 p.m. According to investigators, the incident started in the kiddie pool area when a lifeguard became sick. Shortly after, more people became sick including children.
Dozens treated after chemical leak at Texas water park
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks to the media after a chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown on Saturday, July 17, 2021 in Spring, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP) July 17, 2021 - 5:41 PM
A chemical leak at a Houston-area water park left dozens suffering from minor skin irritation and respiratory issues Saturday, authorities said.
Twenty-nine people were taken to local hospitals following the incident at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, the Harris County Fire Marshalâs Office tweeted. Thirty-nine others declined to be taken to a hospital after undergoing decontamination procedures.
26 People Hospitalized After Chemical Exposure at Texas Water Park
One person was in critical condition after the victims were exposed to bleach and sulfuric acid, which are used to maintain pH balance, the authorities said.
Officials were examining a system that injects bleach and sulfuric acid at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown on Saturday to see whether there had been a malfunction.Credit.Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle, via Associated Press
July 17, 2021, 8:46 p.m. ET
Twenty-six people were hospitalized with breathing problems or skin irritation after they were exposed to bleach and sulfuric acid on Saturday afternoon at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, a water park in Spring, Texas, the authorities said.
2021-07-17 23:35:49 GMT2021-07-18 07:35:49(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
HOUSTON, July 17 (Xinhua) More than 30 people were treated after an unknown chemical spilled in a pool area at a water park in U.S. Texas, the Harris County Fire Marshal s Office said Saturday.
The authorities said the spill happened in Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, a water park north of Houston. Hazardous Materials Management (HAZMAT) officials arrived at the scene to monitor the air.
The office said over 30 people were going through decontamination. The people who were affected said they experienced minor skin and/or inhalation irritation, said the office.