Two men die in three days at Launceston Community Leisure Centre as staff left ‘shocked and saddened’
TWO men have died in the space of three days at a leisure centre.
Staff at Launceston Community Leisure Centre, in Cornwall, have been left “shocked and saddened” after both males needed medical attention.
On Sunday, the first man was swimming when he suffered a medical episode.
Lifeguards and a nurse at the facility rushed to help him before he was flown to a hospital in Plymouth.
He sadly died that same day.
On Tuesday, the second man was working in the park near the building when he collapsed and was found unresponsive.
Staff performed CPR on him before emergency services arrived.
He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
The cause of both deaths are not yet known.
The centre has since thanked everyone who helped with the emergencies and said their thoughts are with the two families.
A Launceston Community Leisure Centre statement said: “Many of you are already aware that there have been two occasions in recent days where the emergency services and air ambulance have attended the leisure centre in Coronation Park.
“We can confirm that the first incident on Sunday, July 16, involved a leisure centre member who suffered a medical episode following his swim.
“The lifeguards, along with a nurse who was using the facility at the time, were able to assist him until the emergency services arrived. He was flown by Cornwall Air Ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
“We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that his condition deteriorated later that day and he passed away in hospital.
“On Tuesday, July 18, leisure centre staff went to assist where a gentleman working in the park had been found collapsed and unresponsive.
“The leisure centre’s AED defibrillator was used and lifeguards performed manual CPR, along with assistance from a member of the public, until the emergency services arrived.
“Distressingly he was confirmed deceased by the emergency services attending the scene.
“We would like to thank Cornwall Air Ambulance, Devon & Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service for all their support, including checking on the welfare of the staff involved.
“We would also like to say how proud we are of the emergency response from the centre staff and, in particular, the lifeguards who assisted directly with these two extremely distressing incidents.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two gentlemen involved at this very difficult time.”