Children taken to hospital from swimming pool

Two children have been taken to hospital after becoming ill while swimming at a leisure centre.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said a number of children aged between seven and 10 were coughing and being sick after being in the water at Leys Pools in Oxford on Sunday morning.

It said seven patients were checked at the scene and two went to the John Radcliffe Hospital, although they were not classed as emergency cases.

Senior Oxford city councillor Linda Smith said the cause was initially suspected to be a chlorine leak, but no such issue was found.

Ms Smith, who represents Blackbird Leys, said elevated levels of chlorine were found earlier that morning in the toddler and learning pools following a routine check.

Later, children in the main pool became ill during a swimming lesson, she said.

The pool was closed and checked, but no excess chlorine levels were found, the councillor added.

Ms Smith said she was pleased that the council's operator More Leisure had adopted a "precautionary approach to keep everybody safe".

SCAS said three ambulances and an emergency medic car were sent to the pool at about 10:30 GMT.

It said: "We received... reports of children aged 7-10 coughing and being sick after being in the water.

"Seven patients were assessed at the scene. One was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and one other went by their own transport.

"All patients were assessed as priority three i.e. not emergency."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it sent two fire appliances and a specialist unit.

The leisure centre has since reopened.

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