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Several people were taken to the hospital on Monday after
being exposed to high levels of chlorine while swimming in the pool of a west
suburban hotel.
According to Elmhurst Fire Department battalion chief
Mike Kopp quoted by the Chicago Tribune, the New Mayan Adventure water park in
the Holiday Inn Chicago-Elmhurst at 624 N. York St. was crowded with dozens of
children as schools were closed because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
About 22 people were taken to hospitals after showing signs
of chemical burns around their eyes and mouth. According to witnesses, there
were also children vomiting, coughing and bleeding from the nose or even fainting.
The incident took place around 1:15 p.m. and authorities
suspect it was caused either by a chlorine leak or by a pool that was over
treated with the chemical.
“We don’t know that exact cause- there’s more than one
chemical used to regulate the pool,” said Ken Herman, general manager of the
Holiday Inn Chicago-Elmhurst quoted by the Chicago Daily Herald.
Up to 18 ambulances were called to solve the situation and
most of the people were transported to near hospitals. Six of them had symptoms
that were more serious. Most of the victims were children.
Eleven people were taken to Elmhurst
Memorial Hospital,
one went to Alexian Brothers Medical
Center in Elk Grove Village, four were
taken to Loyola Medical
Center, four patients were treated at
the Adventist GlenOaks
Hospital in Glendale Heights and the last
two patients were taken to the Advocate
Good Samaritan
Hospital in Downers
Grove. According to officials, all were expected to be released in the following days.
Until the health department will clear the cause of the
incident, the water park will remain closed.
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