An idyllic summer camp in the English countryside took a disturbing turn when eight children suddenly fell ill and had to be rushed to the hospital—leading to the shocking arrest of a 76-year-old man on suspicion of poisoning.
The incident happened on Sunday, July 27, in the village of Stathern in Leicestershire. According to local police, a third party reported that several kids were feeling unwell at a camp held on Canal Lane. Emergency crews from the East Midlands Ambulance Service arrived quickly to check on the kids.
All of the children at the camp were assessed, and eight were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Thankfully, they were later discharged and are said to be doing okay. Still, what came next sent shockwaves through the small community.
Authorities confirmed that a 76-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of “administering poison or a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy.” He’s currently in police custody as the investigation continues.
Detective Inspector Neil Holden, who’s leading the case, acknowledged the fear this incident sparked among parents and the broader community. “Please be reassured that we’ve deployed several dedicated resources and are working closely with partner agencies to ensure all the children are safe,” he said.
Officers remain at the scene, and the investigation has now been handed over to the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Major Incident Team to ensure a thorough and specialized response.
But that’s not all—police have also referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the watchdog that reviews police behavior in the U.K., over how they initially handled the situation. The IOPC has launched its own independent investigation to determine whether any delays or missteps occurred in the early response.
According to the BBC, the children were attending a camp at Stathern Lodge when the incident happened.
As police continue their investigation, parents are still grappling with the unsettling reality of what might’ve happened at what was supposed to be a fun-filled camp for kids.
More updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.
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Author: What’s Up Team
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