More than 50 people assessed by Queensland Ambulance paramedics during Busy At Work emergency response on Nind St, Southport

Fresh details have come to light about one of the biggest emergency responses on the Gold Coast in recent memory, which saw more than 50 people assessed by paramedics. LATEST

Fresh details have emerged about one of the biggest emergency responses on the Gold Coast in recent memory, which included 50 people assessed and six people taken to hospital.

Dozens of paramedics, police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) personnel – including members of the Breathing Apparatus and Hazardous Materials Response – were called to not-for-profit Busy At Work on Nind St at Southport about 2.30pm on Friday.

When the Bulletin arrived, a huge number of emergency vehicles were scattered along the street in the CBD, while a number of Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics had workers lined up for assessment and treatment.

More than 50 people were checked by paramedics and more than 20 were treated for what was described as suspected respiratory illnesses after initial calls reported a “fumes leak”.

Ultimately, six people were taken to hospital in a stable condition as a precaution, but it’s understood all were released soon after admission.

On scene, emergency services workers were unable to say what caused the evacuation of Busy At Work, located next to a popular Anytime Fitness gym.

QAS senior operations supervisor Adam Flory could not say what happened, and the managing director of the business, Paul Miles, said he was also at a loss.

All workers were in good health and Busy At Work was back in operation on Monday morning, Mr Miles confirmed.

A potential gas leak, or even food poisoning have been suggested as causes for the “mass casualty” call-out.

Mr Miles said he believed there was no gas stored on premises, except for ammonia in the airconditioning system, which has a distinct odour.

“It’s all a bit strange, to be honest,” he said.

“Everyone is back in and the call centre is back operating as normal this morning.

“I was very concerned about staff. Relieved it’s all come to nothing.”

Some media reports suggested carbon monoxide poisoning was to blame, but emergency services spokespeople did not indicate that was the case.

Mr Miles also dismissed those suggestions.

“There’s no suggestions whatsoever made to me that carbon monoxide is involved in any way at all,” he said.

QFES has undertaken scientific testing, with no conclusive result. It’s understood Queensland Health has also been looking into the incident, but has not pinpointed a precise cause.

A QFES spokeswoman said on Friday: “We were liaising with scientific crews but weren’t able to identify any hazardous substance material at the scene.”

However, another new theory is that a perfect storm of individual medical conditions may have sparked a mass hysteria event – a documented phenomenon.

A common type of mass hysteria occurs when people in a group think they have a similar illness. It can be referred to as mass sociogenic illness, or epidemic hysteria, according to a study published in medical journals titled Mass sociogenic illness.

The Bulletin has spoken to multiple primary sources and none have been able to offer a straightforward explanation for the incident, such as a chemical cause.

Dozens treated for mystery illness in Coast CBD

September 16: Emergency services are investigating the source of a mystery illness which has hospitalised six people and affected dozens more in Southport CBD.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics assessed more than 50 people, treated 24 for suspected respiratory illnesses and took six to hospital in a stable condition after emergency services were called to Busy At Work on Nind St about 2.30pm on Friday.

Emergency services at the Busy at Work employment service in Southport. Picture: Queensland Ambulance

An unidentified “fumes leak” was reported, forcing the evacuation of the business.

The scene on Nind St was chaotic when the Bulletin arrived, with ambulances, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) trucks and police vehicles packed in front of the business. People were lined up being seen to by paramedics.

Despite the flurry of activity, most appeared in good spirits, including those getting medical care.

The cause of what was making people ill had not been determined by 4.30pm on Friday, despite investigations from QFES crews at the scene.

“We were liaising with scientific crews but weren’t able to identify any hazardous substance material at the scene,” a spokeswoman said.

“We have left the scene in the hands of management.”

Busy At Work managing director Paul Miles said he was moving home when he was informed about the incident and dashed to the business.

He said he was in the dark about a potential cause, but was hopeful he would have more information soon. Staff were clocking off for the day, but were due to return Monday.

QAS senior operations supervisor Adam Flory confirmed the number of people taken to hospital, but could not detail a possible cause.

He said the incident could be food-related, for example, among various other potential causes.

The scene was clearing as of 4.20pm.

Emergency services in Nind St, Southport. Picture: Luke Mortimer

Update, 4.15pm: At least six people are being taken to hospital after a suspected ‘fumes leak’ in the Gold Coast CBD.

Emergency services rushed to the Busy at Work employment service at Nind St, Southport, following a reported leak about 2.30pm Friday.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson told media more than 50 people were being assessed and 24 people were being treated for suspected respiratory illnesses.

Up to eight people were due to be taken to hospital.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the immediate area had been evacuated.

Three fire crews at the scene are investigating the cause of the fumes.

Update, 3.45pm: Dozens of people have been overcome by fumes at a Gold Coast business.

Paramedics are treating about 30 people after a suspected gas leak at the Busy at Work employment service in Nind St at Southport.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 2.30pm.

At least two people have been taken to hospital.

Initial story, 3.25pm: Two people have been taken to hospital and several others are being treated after a suspected “fumes leak” in a central Gold Coast suburb.

Emergency services rushed to an address at Nind St, Southport, about 2.30pm Friday.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said two people had been taken to Gold Coast University Hospital and several others were being assessed by multiple paramedic crews due to a suspected “fumes leak”.