Eleven children were brought to Canmore General Hospital after becoming sick while swimming at the Canmore Inn and Suites pool. CBC
Parents of an Alberta minor hockey team are demanding answers after several children became sick while swimming at a hotel pool in Canmore over the weekend. What began as a short getaway for a youth tournament quickly turned into a medical emergency that sent children to the hospital.
The incident happened on Jan. 25 at Canmore Inn and Suites, where families stayed ahead of scheduled hockey games.
Sudden Illness at the Pool
Melissa Erle stayed at the hotel with her husband and three children. She said her husband took two of their children to the pool while she stayed back with the third to eat breakfast.
When she walked toward the pool area around 10:30 a.m., she noticed something was wrong.
“I was just getting to the pool when two kids came out, and they looked like they had taken in a bunch of water. So, I was checking on them, and then everyone just started running out of the pool,” Erle said.
She said she panicked after realizing she could not reach her husband or her other children inside the pool area.
“All these kids come running out, and they’re puking everywhere,” she said.
Emergency Crews Respond
Health officials confirmed paramedics arrived at the hotel at 11 a.m. after reports that a group of children had suddenly fallen ill. Emergency crews initially prepared for multiple ambulance transports.
“Nine stable and non-life-threatening patients were assessed at the scene by (Emergency Health Services) paramedics and received instruction to present to the Canmore General Hospital (in the immediate vicinity of the scene) in care of their parents or guardians. One patient was transported by ambulance to Canmore General Hospital in serious but stable condition,” officials said in a statement.
Eleven youth were later assessed at the hospital. One child required further care and was transferred to Alberta Children’s Hospital in serious but stable condition.
Chlorine-Based Chemical Detected
Canmore Fire Rescue responded and identified the incident as a chemical exposure. Crews first ensured everyone left the pool area safely before starting their investigation.
“Initial air monitoring detected an elevated level of a hazardous substance, which was suspected to be chlorine-based on the location and symptoms exhibited by the patients,” officials said.
Crews traced the issue to the pool and a nearby mechanical room. They used large fans to ventilate the area and clear the air.
Parents Describe Alarming Symptoms
Erle said paramedics assessed the children at the hotel. She described children experiencing chest pain, back pain, and sore throats.
“One girl ended up getting oxygen at the hotel. My kids were begging to go. They had chest pain, and they had a pain in their back, and their throats hurt,” she said.
She added that her husband noticed a strong chlorine smell while in the pool.
“I doubted that they were going to be poisoned in a pool,” Erle said.
Hotel Responds to Claims
Hospital discharge papers provided to families listed cyanide poisoning. However, the hotel disputed those claims.
The Canmore Inn and Suites said there is no evidence of cyanide in the pool. The hotel stated its pool systems are managed by a licensed chemical company and remain under investigation. Officials said testing so far shows no sign of deliberate contamination.
The investigation continues.
