Family fall ill after kayaking and enjoying River Medway at Teston Country Park

A children’s party ended in disaster when nine people fell ill after playing in the river.

Paul Gill visited Teston Country Park in Maidstone with his family for his grandson’s 14th birthday.

Arriving at around 11am, the family from Bromley took part in several activities including paddle boarding and kayaking in the River Medway which runs through the public park.

The 72-year-old was aware of Weil’s disease which lurks in British waterways and so made sure to check everyone over for serious cuts or breaks in the skin.

All was fine on the day but come Sunday evening Paul began feeling funny.

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Mr Gill, who now lives in Eversley Park, Folkestone, said: “It was the most terrible night. I vomitted at least a dozen times.

“I have been swimming in that river forever and never had an issue but now after Saturday a bunch of us have felt unwell.”

Six children and two teenagers who were part of the group all fell ill with similar symptoms.

The only correlation he could find between those who were ill was their presence in the water.

The retired printer continued: “Others went in the water but they seemed to have gotten away illness free.

“I’ve always loved the Medway. Unlike the Stour it has locks and no current making it more enjoyable for the children.”

The grandfather said he told the Environment Agency about the outbreak but so far has not heard anything.

He continued: “It seems to me to be a complete lack of care. I remember in the past the would be warnings of Weil’s and other diseases up along the river fronts but it seems not to be like that anymore.

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“To tell the truth it is probably because it hadn’t rained for five weeks so hadn’t pushed any of the water downstream but it would just explain the need for more testing.

“In the summer I would suggest they should be testing the waters weekly preferably before the weekend.

“I know they put out signs for blue-green algae but there hasn’t been any for a while. I think they’ve taken their eye off the ball and it’s even more worrying when it involves kids who may need to miss school.”

On Tuesday morning Paul confirmed some of the children were still suffering from symptoms with one having a doctor’s appointment and given antibiotics. Others also have appointments scheduled.

It hasn’t been confirmed the family contracted their illness from the water.

KentOnline contacted the Environment Agency who referred to information on the government’s public health page.

It says: “Open water swimming can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections.

“Most symptoms of these illnesses caused by micro-organisms such as norovirus, giardia and cryptosporidium, will generally be mild.

“However, there is also a risk of more severe infections caused by micro-organisms such as E.coli O157 which may cause severe gastrointestinal illness and leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), which can cause liver and kidney problems.

“The Environment Agency monitors over 400 designated bathing waters in England between May and September, and each is given an annual classification of Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor.

“As well as the annual classification, the Environment Agency makes daily pollution risk forecasts for a number of bathing waters where water quality may be temporarily reduced due to factors such as heavy rainfall. Bathers may be at a higher risk of becoming ill when using a bathing water at this time.”

This isn’t the first time people have got ill after swimming in the water in Kent.

Georgia Hearn went swimming and paddle-boarding in the sea at Hampton Beach, Herne Bay, without knowing there had been a release in nearby Swalecliffe the night before.

The 30-year-old contracted severe gastroenteritis – along with her partner, Chris, and their dog, Sully – later the same day.