A Christian summer camp turned into a nightmare for families after dozens of children became violently ill in a suspected poisoning incident. Emergency services rushed to the scene as terrified parents were kept away for hours while their children received medical treatment.
Police have confirmed they are questioning a 76-year-old man in connection with the incident, though no arrests have been made yet. The elderly suspect is understood to have been present at the camp when the children fell ill.
Chaotic Scenes at Camp
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as children began vomiting and complaining of stomach pains during what should have been a fun summer activity. Camp staff initially thought they were dealing with a stomach bug outbreak before realizing the severity of the situation.
"It was absolute panic," one parent told reporters. "We got a call saying our child was sick, but they wouldn't let us see them for hours. The not knowing was the worst part."
Medical Response
Paramedics treated multiple children at the scene before transporting the most serious cases to nearby hospitals. Medical staff worked through the night to stabilize all affected children, with some requiring intravenous fluids.
Health officials are now working to identify the substance that caused the mass illness. Early tests suggest it may have been a contaminant in food or drink served at the camp.
Ongoing Investigation
Detectives have cordoned off areas of the campsite as forensic teams search for evidence. Police have stressed that their investigation is in its early stages and they are keeping an open mind about motives.
"The safety and wellbeing of these children is our absolute priority," a police spokesperson said. "We understand how distressing this incident has been for families and are working tirelessly to establish exactly what happened."
The summer camp, which caters primarily to children from Christian families, has been temporarily closed while authorities complete their investigations.
