Five people were hospitalized Tuesday morning after complaining of difficulty breathing while at Zehnder’s Splash Village waterpark in Frankenmuth.
Ten guests and an employee complained of upper respiratory issues shortly after 11:00 a.m., resulting in employees calling the Frankenmuth Fire Department. Investigation revealed that a system designed to feed pool chemicals had apparently malfunctioned, resulting in a much larger quantity of chemicals being released than intended.
Frankenmuth Fire Chief Phil Kerns says the guests complained of coughing and shortness of breath. Five of the eleven affected were taken to a Saginaw-area hospital for evaluation, with the remaining six declining treatment.
Employees of Splash Village have begun to ventilate the 30,000 square foot waterpark. Authorities also say the pools will need to be drained, flushed and refilled before they can be used again. The Saginaw County Hazardous Materials Team will be assessing the park’s air quality before reopening.
