Chlorine error closes park early

By Nathan Mayberg
VERNON — A mistake in handling the chlorine at a ride at Action Park led to the Vernon water park closing an hour early on Monday.

According to police, 16 park employees were brought to the EMS station at the park and transported to local hospitals with eye and respiratory irritation. They were transported by the Glenwood Pochuck, Vernon, Sussex and Wantage first aid squads to local hospitals.

No patrons were hospitalized.
According to Vernon police, the police department as well as the Vernon, Highland lakes, McAfee Fire departments and the Vernon and Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Squads were dispatched to Action Park for a report of a strong odor of chlorine in the area of Roaring Springs at about 6 p.m.

Fire officials on the scene ordered the park evacuated and the Sussex County Hazmat unit was contacted and responded.

The accident involving the chlorine was caused by an employee mistakenly dumping an excessive amount of chlorine into the water, Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta said.

According to Marotta, a basket holding powdered chlorine went into the water at a higher concentration than it was supposed to.

Emergency responders brought oxygen as a precautionary measure, Marotta said.

The county health department tested the water Monday night and Tuesday morning, Marotta said. The park re-opened Tuesday morning, he said.

Marotta said that emergency response professionals "all performed really, really well."

"Thank goodness no one was hurt seriously." Marotta said.

A message left with Mountain Creek Resort President Bill Benneyan, who oversees the park, was not immediately returned.