This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7990341.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Children ill after chlorine leak | Children ill after chlorine leak |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Almost 50 people, mainly children, have been affected by a suspected chlorine leak at a Black Country swimming pool. | Almost 50 people, mainly children, have been affected by a suspected chlorine leak at a Black Country swimming pool. |
| More than 30 people, aged eight to 26, were taken to hospital following the incident on Pear Tree Lane in Coseley, near Wolverhampton. | More than 30 people, aged eight to 26, were taken to hospital following the incident on Pear Tree Lane in Coseley, near Wolverhampton. |
| Emergency services were called to the swimming baths at about 1310 BST. | Emergency services were called to the swimming baths at about 1310 BST. |
| Patients complained of difficulty in breathing, nose and throat irritation, watering eyes and panic attacks, West Midlands Ambulance Service said. | Patients complained of difficulty in breathing, nose and throat irritation, watering eyes and panic attacks, West Midlands Ambulance Service said. |
| Some casualties ran out of the pool in their swimming costumes and were given thermal blankets to keep warm. | Some casualties ran out of the pool in their swimming costumes and were given thermal blankets to keep warm. |
| There were anxious moments for parents waiting to be reunited with their children | |
| A total of 48 people were treated. Sixteen were taken to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, three to Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich and 13 to Russells Hall in Dudley. | A total of 48 people were treated. Sixteen were taken to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, three to Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich and 13 to Russells Hall in Dudley. |
| "A further 16 were treated and discharged at the scene by the doctors," an ambulance service spokesman said. | "A further 16 were treated and discharged at the scene by the doctors," an ambulance service spokesman said. |
| "Approximately half were kept at the scene until their parents could come and collect them." | "Approximately half were kept at the scene until their parents could come and collect them." |
| BBC correspondent Giles Latcham said about three or four dozen "anxious" parents were at the scene several hours later. | BBC correspondent Giles Latcham said about three or four dozen "anxious" parents were at the scene several hours later. |
| People living within 400m of the swimming pool were advised to keep all windows and doors closed and report any symptoms to their GP or NHS Direct. | People living within 400m of the swimming pool were advised to keep all windows and doors closed and report any symptoms to their GP or NHS Direct. |
| Fire service chemical experts were investigating the incident. | Fire service chemical experts were investigating the incident. |
| Safety checks | Safety checks |
| Up to 50 firefighters were initially called to the pool, along with members of the ambulance's specialist Hazardous Area Response Team. | Up to 50 firefighters were initially called to the pool, along with members of the ambulance's specialist Hazardous Area Response Team. |
| Last month Dudley Council agreed to close the pool in the summer after recent safety checks showed repairs to the building, which first opened in 1963, would cost in excess of £2m. | Last month Dudley Council agreed to close the pool in the summer after recent safety checks showed repairs to the building, which first opened in 1963, would cost in excess of £2m. |
| Mike Fox, from West Midlands Fire Service, told BBC News that chlorine levels were now being monitored. | Mike Fox, from West Midlands Fire Service, told BBC News that chlorine levels were now being monitored. |
| "We now believe it's been some form of chlorine-related gas that's been released within that building, in the swimming pool," he said. | "We now believe it's been some form of chlorine-related gas that's been released within that building, in the swimming pool," he said. |
| "At the moment we have got firefighters wearing gas-proof suits inside the building monitoring chlorine levels." | "At the moment we have got firefighters wearing gas-proof suits inside the building monitoring chlorine levels." |
| It is thought many people could have left the pool before any symptoms could have started. | It is thought many people could have left the pool before any symptoms could have started. |
| Experts warned anyone who may develop symptoms to remove the affected clothing, shower, put clean clothes on and go outside and breathe fresh air. | Experts warned anyone who may develop symptoms to remove the affected clothing, shower, put clean clothes on and go outside and breathe fresh air. |
| A spokesperson for the Health Protection Agency said most people who have developed symptoms following exposure to chlorine will not suffer any long-term effects. | A spokesperson for the Health Protection Agency said most people who have developed symptoms following exposure to chlorine will not suffer any long-term effects. |