Chemical leak at Six Flags water park in Texas affects 65 people, HAZMAT team reponds
Harris County officials shut down the Six Flags park while the incident is investigated
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}At least 65 people underwent decontamination with a hazmat team on Saturday following a chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, Texas, according to local authorities.
In an update provided to Fox News on Sunday, a Six Flags spokesperson said "the waterpark will be closed Sunday, July 18 and Monday, July 19 to permit a thorough investigation into yesterday’s incident" and that "preliminary findings indicate there was a vapor release in a small outdoor section of the park that quickly dissipated."
"We are working hand in hand with Harris County Public Health officials, along with third party industry experts, to determine a cause, and we will reopen when we are confident it is safe to do so. It is our understanding that all impacted guests and team members have been released and are back home. The safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority," the spokesperson added Sunday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The chemicals involved were believed to be hypochlorite solution and 35% sulfuric acid, causing "minor skin and/or inhalation irritation," according to the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Spring firefighters decontaminated 39 people at the scene who refused ambulance transport to a local hospital. Another 26 people were transported to hospitals for further treatment.
The exact cause of the incident is not yet known, but officials said the chemical leak was contained to one attraction at the park.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Harris County officials ordered the park closed while the incident is being investigated.
DOZENS OF SUNSCREENS HAVE CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL, LAB CLAIMS
A spokesperson for Six Flags said guests started feeling ill around 2:30 p.m.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The safety of our guests and team member is always our highest priority and the park was immediately cleared as we try to determine a cause," the spokesperson told Fox News.
The HAZMAT team and pollution control department from Harris County are assisting the Spring Fire Department, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A water park attendee told KHOU that she and her children were at the kiddie pool when they began to experience a burning sensation.
"I just kept wondering why I was burning," the woman said. She added that her children "seem to be okay" after the incident.