The spray park at the Mission Leisure Centre has been shut down after an incident this morning (July 14) left several children with sore eyes, burning lips and even burns on their face.
Mission Fire Rescue Services and BC Ambulance Services were called to the scene after several children began to cry and complain of a burning pain.
Colleen Draganov was at the park with her children when the incident occurred.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the girls that we were with started crying and she couldnB次元官网网址檛 open her eyes. Her mouth was stinging and her eyes were stinging. She now has burns on her face.B次元官网网址�
A few moments later, DraganovB次元官网网址檚 daughter began to cry.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 four and sheB次元官网网址檚 crying because her lips are all swollen and red B次元官网网址� Then kids just started to come towards us, maybe four or five more.B次元官网网址�
They all had similar symptoms.
Draganov called 911 and emergency crews arrived and treated the children.
Carli Emary was also at the park with her two children. Her six-year-old, William, was the first child to begin crying.
B次元官网网址淗e came out of no where, screaming and covering his eyes. I thought he had been stung by a bee at first, but no, he said B次元官网网址榠t burns, it burnsB次元官网网址� and I started to hear other kids screaming,B次元官网网址� said Emary.
Staff at the leisure centre offered what assistance they could until the paramedics arrived.
EmaryB次元官网网址檚 son William was taken to hospital, but later released.
B次元官网网址淚t scared him. He though he was dying at first and then thought he was going blind. I had to calm him down.B次元官网网址�
While the cause of the incident is unknown, Emary believes it was pepper spray.
B次元官网网址淚 got it in my mouth after touching him and IB次元官网网址檝e been in a crowd that has been pepper sprayed and itB次元官网网址檚 the exact same feeling.B次元官网网址�
Maureen Sinclair, director of Parks, Recreation and Culture said at this time they do not know what caused the incident.
B次元官网网址淭he spray park has been closed down at least for the day. Staff are cleaning everything up because it appeared that something was being passed from child to child,B次元官网网址� said Sinclair.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know what the cause of it was, but weB次元官网网址檒l test it and retest it and run it in the morning and make sure everything is OK.B次元官网网址�
The Mission RCMP were also called and are investigating.
According to a press release, the Mission RCMP are currently working with the District of Mission to determine the origin of the substance. The District conducted a test of the water shortly after the incident was reported. No irregularities were found in the water, including the chlorine levels. The Mission RCMP Victim Services team has been engaged to reach out to those affected.
B次元官网网址淎t this point, we canB次元官网网址檛 confirm what the substance is. We are currently looking at all avenues including engaging our Integrated Forensic Identification Services to identify the substance and itB次元官网网址檚 origin,B次元官网网址� said Corp. Nathan Berze.
The Mission RCMP are requesting that if anyone has any information about this incident, to contact them at 604-826-7161 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at SOLVECRIME.CA.
