By Jessica Anstice
Staff members at Cardinia Lakes Coles were rushed to hospital after a plumbing issue resulted in an unpleasant odour on Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for Coles said emergency services were called as a precaution and team members feeling unwell received treatment.
“The issue was fixed overnight and the store resumed normal trade on Wednesday morning,” the spokesperson said.
Nearby residents recalled seeing a hazmat team, along with a large number of firetrucks and police on scene.
“I was down there last night (Tuesday) and only the service desk was open. All of the staff were outside with bad headaches and throwing up,” Pakenham resident Sarah David said.
“I spoke to one staff members who said that they had all been in hospital with these symptoms and that the hospital had said it was toxic exposure, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it is was.
“The smell down there has been disgusting for a couple of weeks now and a lot of people from the community have been complaining of the same symptoms.”
The Coles spokesperson said a “small number of Coles team members felt nauseous”.
Close-by resident and Coles customer Orlando Ribeiro said he has fallen sick and is concerned it could be in relation to “toxic exposure” at the Cardinia Lakes store.
“I was healthy as and all of a sudden I’ve got sick. I didn’t take much notice of it but reading and seeing what I have I’m concerned for what it is, what I may have and is it the same as to what the employees have also gotten,” he said.
“Things have for a little worse were I’m feeling weak and muscle pain even in my legs and arms. Concentration level has also dropped and I’m always tired.
“It seems others have also fallen sick. I am very angry that Coles has hidden this for weeks.”
