Neila Brenning, partner of Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli, victim of Adelaide Ice Arena carbon monoxide leak

The partner of an AFL star has been spotted leaving Adelaide Airport in a wheelchair after a gas leak derailed an elite ice hockey trip and sent dozens to hospital.

• Dozens hit in Ice Arena gas poisoning

Dozens of people have fallen ill – including the partner of an AFL star – at a popular Adelaide sporting arena, sparking a major public health emergency and a safety review.

Almost 40 people required hospital treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning after a leak at the Ice Arena in Thebarton on Saturday night.

The patients included elite ice hockey players who lined up for an Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League game between Adelaide Rush and a Melbourne Ice hockey team at 4.45pm on Saturday.

Melbourne Ice player Neila Brenning at Adelaide Airport with fellow players Danielle Butler and Stephanie Conlon. Picture: Instagram

Among the Victorian side was Neila Brenning, partner of Western Bulldogs AFL player Marcus Bontempelli, who was spotted leaving Adelaide Airport in a wheelchair.

The forward, who joined the club ahead of the 2023-24 season shared a selfie of herself at the airport with fellow players Danielle Butler and Stephanie Conlon.

“Oh what a night,” Brenning wrote on her Instagram story.

Marcus Bontempelli and Neila Brenning. Picture: Canty Creative

Marcus Bontempelli and Neila Brenning at the Brownlow. Picture: Michael Klein.

While an official investigation remains underway, authorities believe a Zamboni – a machine used to resurface and smooth the ice – may be to blame.

They were alerted to the incident after 16 people presented to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning with symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.

The Zamboni – a machine used to resurface and smooth the ice – suspected to be to blame for the Ice Arena carbon monoxide leak. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Metropolitan Fire Service crews arrived at the James Congdon Drive arena about 3.30am and spent the morning ventilating the building.

As well as the carbon monoxide, a low level of hydrogen cyanide was detected in the same area, but chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said there was no sign that any patient had been exposed to that toxin.

Professor Nicola Spurrier talks to the media about the carbon monoxide poisoning at The Ice Arena overnight. Picture: Kathryn Bermingham

Of the 38 people who went to hospital, all but two had been discharged by 5pm on Sunday evening, according to SA Health.

Professor Spurrier said the age of the ­patients ranged from 17 to early-40s, but most patients were in their 20s. Some were given oxygen and all were 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,” she said.

Professor Spurrier said anyone who was at the arena on Saturday and was 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 had symptoms.

The Ice Arena manager Richard Laidlaw said a faulty Zamboni was “immediately” taken out of service when the  gas, believed to be coming from the machine, was ­discovered.

The Ice Arena manager Richard Laidlaw. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Ice Hockey Australia manager Adam Woolnough was “concerned to hear of the situation” that required players from both sides to be taken to hospital.

“We will review and work with our venue partners to ­ensure all ice hockey activities are only played in safe environments,” he said.

The gases had been cleared by noon with the facility expected to reopen on Monday. SafeWork SA will investigate the cause of the leak.