6 children treated for possible exposure to pepper spray at B.C. water park

First responders were called to a children's water park at the Mission Leisure Centre on Tuesday morning to treat several children suffering irritation to their eyes and mouths. 

According to Mission Fire Chief Mark Goddard, five of the children were treated by firefighters and paramedics at the scene, while one was taken to hospital.

Goddard said the call came in at about 10:45 a.m. PT.

"Our crews responded to the spray park where children were experiencing irritation to their eyes and mouth," he said. "There was some sort of irritant there."

Goddard said the water at the park has been shut off by district park staff and the area is cordoned off.

Parent Carli Emary said her six-year-old son William was affected and was treated in hospital after suffering from swollen, irritated red eyes.

"He ran over and said 'Ow my eye!' and I looked and his whole face and eyes were red and he started screaming," said Emary.

She started flushing her son's eyes using her water bottle and then heard other children screaming before first responders arrived to help.

Emary is angry and has a message for the culprits behind the incident.

"They're pretty lucky that this didn't end a lot worse. I mean, imagine a six-year-old being blinded because of something either being silly or whatever the purpose was for whoever did this."

"We don't know exactly what was in the water, or what caused it, but they're going to have a good look at it and make sure it's safe before any activity is resumed at the site," Goddard said.

Goddard said it's not clear what caused the irritation, but the effects were consistent with pepper spray.

"If it was — and we don't know what the substance was at this time — but if it was like a capsicum or a bear spray, I understand it would be consistent with that sort of irritation," he said.

District of Mission spokesperson Taryn Hubbard said the water at the park was tested and it was deemed safe. The area was closed for cleaning.

She said no cameras captured what may have led up to the incident.

"Everybody at the District of Mission is shocked and horrified that something like this could happen," said Hubbard.

Mission RCMP say they are investigating the incident.