17 hospitalized after possible chemical exposure at Calif. water park

About 40 people, mostly children, fell ill Thursday afternoon due to a possible chemical exposure at an East Bay water park, CBS San Francisco reports.

At 2:29 p.m., emergency crews responded to reports of a child complaining of respiratory problems after swimming at Antioch Water Park, located at 4701 Lone Tree Way, according to a fire inspector with Contra Costa Fire Protection.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that victims started vomiting and feeling burning in their eyes.

"We just heard people screaming, saying their throat burned," Marquan George told KPIX 5.

The chemical exposure may be due to excessive chlorine that leaked into the pool, Fire Inspector Lisa Martinez said.

Officials said 17 victims were taken to local hospitals, the Chronicle reported.

Parents arrived at the park to pick up their children.

Hazmat crews also arrived on scene to determine the cause of the exposure, according to Martinez.