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Waterworld accuses emergency services of ‘over-reacting’ after mass evacuation of the waterpark
‘At no time was there any need for the emergency services to be called’
Waterworld has accused emergency services of ‘over-reacting’ amid a mass evacuation yesterday afternoon that saw two visitors be hospitalised.
Emergency services descended upon the Stoke-on-Trent waterpark yesterday afternoon after several visitors reported eye and throat irritation and feelings of nausea.
110 people were evacuated from the building, with forty-six receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene.
Two people were taken to hospital for further checks as a precaution.
Photos on social media showed visitors standing outside of the building, with eye witnesses reporting seeing up to seven police cars, eight ambulances and three fire brigades at the scene, along with an air ambulance.
Stoke-on-Trent Police stayed at the scene until the evening, alongside Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and West Midlands Ambulance Service.
However, bosses at the park have now slammed the 999 response as an ‘over-reaction’, saying the whole thing was ‘completely blown out of proportion’.
Waterworld said in a statement today: “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.”
In their own statement yesterday, West Midlands Ambulance Service said they conducted a ‘well-managed, tri-service response’, saying: “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 on scene before being discharged.
“A man and a woman were conveyed to hospital for further checks as a precaution. Thankfully no one involved was in a serious condition.”