Chemical reaction at pool, dozens hospitalized

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A scary chemical combination sent dozens of kids to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

It happened around 2 p.m. at Garfield Park Pool, a little south of downtown Indianapolis. Emergency officials, the mayor, and the Health and Parks departments responded, separating the children into groups depending on their symptoms.

About 70 people, mostly children, were taken to several area hospitals, most for difficulty breathing, nausea or eye irritation.

Thursday evening, 12 people were still in the hospital.

The Marion County Health Department is now investigating whether this was a chemical spill or whether chemicals were mixed improperly.

• UPDATE | Pool remains closed for now

Officials said the two chemicals under investigation are muriatic acid, used to clean the pool, and sodium hypochlorite (bleach).

Thursday evening, 24-Hour News 8 learned at least one child is in serious condition.

Karen Binegar described her 3-year-old grandson Connor’s reaction at the pool, saying: “He just went limp.” She added: “He was having trouble breathing, poor thing. They’ve got him all hooked up, with oxygen and IV s.”

Connor was in the pediatric intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital on Thursday evening. He’d been swimming at the pool with his dad and sister Thursday afternoon. About 200 patrons were there. His older sister was treated and released.

Ironically, Binegar’s family owns and operates Poncho’s Pools and Supplies in Indianapolis.

“Anyone that's ever dealt with chemicals should know you don't mix them,” she said.

As far as little Connor, she said: “He is doing better now, but they're still watching him really close.”

As of Thursday night, there were still five patients at IU Health Methodist Hospital and seven patients at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, all of which were in stable condition.

The pool will remain closed until the Health Department finalizes its investigation.