Adelaide Ice Arena carbon monoxide leak leaves 38 people in hospital
The number of people affected by a gas leak at the Thebarton venue has risen to 38 as its owner reveals the source of the problem.
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Elite athletes in Adelaide for a national match are among the 38 people hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning after a leak at the Ice Arena.
The manager of the Thebarton facility Richard Laidlaw said a faulty zamboni – a machine used to resurface and smooth the ice – was to blame for the incident on Saturday.
Multiple victims had played in an Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League game between Adelaide Rush and a Melbourne Ice hockey team at 4pm on Saturday.
Ice Hockey Australia manager Adam Woolnough has said players from both teams have been taken to hospital.
“We are concerned to hear of the situation yesterday at the Ice Arena,” Mr Woolnough said.
“Our thoughts are with all of those impacted. We wish all those affected a speedy recovery.
“We understand authorities are working with the venue to thoroughly investigate the incident.”
Regular of the Ice Arena William Coulston, 22, said he, workers and players had been advised to seek medical care.
“I know it can be poisonous if not treated for a while but I’m glad all the sick hockey players have gone to hospital and I hope and pray they get better,” said the Goolwa man who plays for the Kaurna Boomerangs.
SA Health said 38 people presented to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning with a range of symptoms including headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.
Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier some of those patients were given oxygen and all have now been discharged.
About 7am, there was another 7-8 people who attended because of similar symptoms.
“They are currently being assessed and hopefully those people will be able to be discharged as well,” she said.
She said the age of the patients ranged from 17 to early forties, but most patients were in their twenties. All are expected to make a full recovery.
“I am aware that there was an ice hockey match there last night but there was also a general session there for the public and also there were some spectators there,” she said.
Prof Spurrier said anyone who was at the arena on Saturday and is experiencing symptoms should visit a health service for advice.
Pregnant women and infants who were at the centre should get checked regardless of whether they have symptoms.
As well as the carbon monoxide, a low level of hydrogen cyanide was detected in the same area – but Prof Spurrier said there was no sign that any patient had been exposed to that toxin.
MFS crews were called to the ice arena on James Congdon Drive, to investigate the problem at about 3.30am and told The Advertiser the gases had been cleared by 12pm.
“The incident was first lodged at 3.05am this morning and four MFS appliances and one command vehicles was in attendance at all times,” the spokeswoman said.
“The procedure of clearing out the carbon monoxide was completed by using high-pressure fans to ventilate the area and they ended up opening all the doors and windows too to do a natural ventilation as well.
“The MFS continued their work at site until approximately 12pm but with the intention of returning at 3pm to check the levels and handover the business to the owners.”
Ice Arena manager Richard Laidlaw said the zamboni had been taken out of service while firefighters spent the morning ventilating the building.
“There was some carbon monoxide discovered and it seems to be coming from the Zamboni,” Mr Laidlaw said.
“That machine is immediately out of service but we have a backup machine.”
Mr Laidlaw said most of the people affected were part of the visiting Victorian women’s hockey team.
“As far as I know it was the Melbourne women’s hockey team that just been competing as far as I know,” he said.
“We’re assuming that the incident has been isolated to just late yesterday. Their team was probably staying in a locker room closer to the CO gas.”
Mr Laidlaw said he expected business to resume on Monday.
“The MFS have taken possession of the building and they will not have it back until it’s safe for the public to enter,” he said.
“They’re saying the levels are pretty low at the moment and they seem to think that within the next couple of hours they’ll hand it back.”
#BREAKING: 16 children have been rushed to hospital after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning following an event at an ice skating rink in Adelaide. #9Newspic.twitter.com/lfW0ndBRB4
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) February 10, 2024
The Advertiser understands the CO levels were as high as 20 per cent but have been reduced to about 7 per cent by 10am.
In the meantime, the Ice Arena has been forced to cancel hockey games scheduled for Sunday.
Lachlan Flint, 52, from Magill had VIP tickets to watch the hockey game with his partner – and only after arriving saw the building shut.
“We’ve got VIP tickets to spectate the Rush Competition today,” he said.
“I don’t think we got any emails or calls about the game being cancelled but I haven’t thoroughly checked my phone.
“I just hope they reschedule the game to another time for us to come back and do everything properly.”
SafeWork SA will undertake an investigation into the cause of the leak.
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