A serious incident unfolded at a Christchurch childcare facility on Friday afternoon, leading to seven individuals, including five children, being hospitalised and subsequently discharged after suffering chemical burns. Emergency services swarmed Kindercare in Woolston following reports of injuries sustained during what was intended to be a fun activity.
Cause of the Incident: A Critical Mix-Up
The cause of the incident was identified as a critical mix-up involving a chemical kitchen steriliser. According to police, this corrosive product was mistakenly identified as dishwashing liquid and poured onto a slip and slide, which children were using. John Herriot, a senior station officer from Woolston, explained the sequence of events:
"The teachers have had a waterslide - bit of fun for the kids... and at some point of time some detergent's unfortunately been misidentified and a corrosive product has ended up on the slip and slide. This has caused some irritation to the children's skin and some light blistering."
Extensive Emergency Response and Hospitalisation
In response to the emergency, a massive coordinated effort saw 40 patients assessed on site. Five children and two employees required hospitalisation due to the chemical burns and blisters they sustained. St John, the ambulance service, highlighted the scale of the response, deploying:
- Eighteen units
- Nine ambulances
- Three rapid response units
- Five operations managers
- One Major Incident Support Team vehicle
Chris Harrison, St John's national operations manager, confirmed the nature of the injuries and noted that while parents were understandably upset, they maintained a pragmatic approach to the situation.
Investigations Underway
Both Kindercare and WorkSafe have promptly launched comprehensive investigations into the incident to determine how the misidentification occurred and to implement measures to prevent any recurrence. The childcare centre was placed into lockdown during the immediate aftermath.
This event underscores the critical importance of chemical safety protocols, especially in environments caring for children, and highlights the swift and extensive response required when such incidents occur.