Waterpark evacuated after 15 suffer coughing fits in ‘chemical leak’

| Night News Editor Published July 30, 2026 3:52pm Updated July 30, 2026 6:45pm Paramedics treated 12 people at Moorways Sports Village (Picture: Google) Swimmers were forced to flee a leisure centre after a suspected chemical leak. Around 15 people were taken to hospital from the £42million Moorways Sports Village in Allenton, Derbyshire, at 1.38pm on Thursday. Children were told to leave the pool and were seen being checked over by paramedics outside. One mother said she noticed her son was getting a ‘headache’ at the water park. She told DerbyshireLive: ‘My throat felt really dry and made me start coughing so we went into the inflatable pool but we left at 1.40pm. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. ‘But in the changing rooms loads of people were coughing, so we hurried up out of there.’ Moorways Sports Village and Water Park has three flumes and slides in the leisure pool, as well as a wave machine. The owners put out a statement, saying: ‘We are temporarily closed for the rest of today. ‘All swimming lessons, water park visits and any other bookings for today are cancelled. ‘We will provide a further update at a later time. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.’ A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at a leisure centre on Moor Lane in Allenton. ‘Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the site at 13:38 hours following reports of a potential chemical leak. ‘Firefighters from Ascot Drive, Kingsway, and Nottinghamshire’s Stapleford stations are in attendance supported by a specialist Environmental Protection Unit from Stockhill. ‘They are working closely with colleagues from Derbyshire Constabulary and East Midlands Ambulance Service who are also in attendance. ‘The leisure centre is being evacuated as a precaution while emergency services deal with the incident. ‘At present, around 12 people have been reported as experiencing breathing difficulties and are being assessed by paramedics. ‘Osmaston Park Road is currently closed to the junction with Moor Lane. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes.’ Arrow MORE: Baby among four dead after car crashed into tree Arrow MORE: Heatwave reveals secret garden lost for 350 years at stately home Arrow MORE: Farmer who shot teen burglar dead will not face criminal charges News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.