Disneyland Says It Took Prompt Action When Riders Became Ill

A Disneyland spokesman Monday said the amusement park reacted swiftly to help about 30 people who suffered breathing difficulties, nausea and skin irritation near the end of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride Saturday night.

Some people who became ill said Monday that they are still experiencing health problems from the incident at the park. “In some ways I’m worse,” said Sandra Skabelund, 24, of Mesa, Ariz. “My face feels like it is on fire.”

Skabelund was among six people who received hospital treatment. She and others were told by doctors that the problems were probably caused by “a gas like Mace.” Mace is a tear gas-like aerosol chemical used to stun attackers.

Disneyland spokesman Greg Albrecht said the cause of the malady is unknown.

Albrecht denied charges by some people who became sick that Disneyland did not respond adequately once they began suffering symptoms inside the attraction. Some riders said their boats were stalled from two to five minutes.

But Albrecht said there is always a two-minute delay as the boat ride ends and boats are hooked up for an uphill ascent.