UPDATE: 33 children in hospital after inhaling fumes at Zoo Lake swimming pool
Rosebank - About 20 children are being assessed by paramedics.
UPDATE: 11 December 2016, 10am –Following the incident at the Zoo Lake swimming pool yesterday, 33 children have been hospitalised after they allegedly inhaled pool acid while swimming.
Athlenda Mathe from Netcare911, said, “The ages of the children vary between five and eighteen years old. Reports from the scene indicate that the children showed symptoms of respiratory distress. Netcare911 paramedics were the first to arrive on scene together with police. We worked alongside paramedics from various emergency services on scene. The Johannesburg Fire Department also assisted on scene. Netcare911 transported about twelve children to a nearby hospital. A 4month baby was also among the children transported to hospital by Netcare911 paramedics. The rest of the children were transported to hospital by other emergency services. This incident happened at about 4pm on Saturday afternoon.”
INITIAL REPORT, 10 December, 2016, 7pm – R24 paramedics are currently assessing about 20 children at the Zoo Lake Swimming pool after they inhaled fumes from the pool.
It is believed that the children battled to breath after hydrochloric acid was poured into the pool.
Further details remain unclear at this stage, however, updates will follow.
