What caused a portion of ductwork to fall from the ceiling and come crashing down into the kiddie pool and wave pool at Kalahari?
That's the question -- as the resort investigates what happened. In the meantime, officials say they are planning to re-open parts of the park on Tuesday.
Late Monday night, Kalahari issued the following statement:
The safety of our guests is our top priority. After careful evaluation - parts of the waterpark will re-open tomorrow. The operating areas meet safety standards and regulations and are safe for guests to enjoy. We look forward to re-opening additional attractions as evaluations continue.
“The Huron Township zoning inspector and Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety has been advised, are making repairs and making sure it is safe before it opens," says Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth.
Kalahari is taking this very seriously. We're told owner Todd Nelson flew in Monday on his private jet to find out what happened.
"A huge air duct broke off into the pool. in the wave pool and kiddie pool where we were going to be," says eyewitness Brynna Stalnaker.
She along with other eyewitnesses say some swimmers narrowly missed being hit by the 25 foot long, three foot wide HVAC unit that fell from the ceiling at the Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky.
"It seemed like a movie. They say things happen in slow motion and that’s how it seemed," says mom Alana White.
Kalahari sent us a statement which says:
“The water park is currently closed, as engineers, staff and officials are on site conducting an investigation to determine what caused the break. It will re-open when all safety regulations are not only met, but exceeded.”
And guests say…the park handled the situation well.
"People were rushing everywhere. Lifeguards evacuating everyone from the park and the people, they reimbursed our night, our stay,” says eyewitness Kayla Erickson.
But when that huge HVAC system fell some 60 feet from the ceiling…people in the park described it as a scene of sheer chaos.
"It actually felt like a terror attack because of how people were reacting. People were running around looking for their kids crying," said eyewitness Jonathan McCandlish.
And while the injured ended up ok. It didn’t look good at the time, says another eyewitness Alana White:
"She was crouched down holding her head. And a man had rushed over to see to her. And a couple of guys were holding up the other part of the beam so it didn’t fall on her."
Five families who drove 6 hours from Canada to spend their spring break here, had to reassess their vacation plans.
“We just registered and within the hour heard the park was closed because the air duct fell," says Tina Sharma.
The group say they're glad everyone's safe, but are lucky they weren't here when it happened.
"We were in shock, everyone was screaming. It was a madhouse. Everyone was running," says eyewitness Austin Fleming
The division of the Ohio Department of Agriculture that regulates amusement park rides has fined Kalahari five times since it opened in 2005, for lifeguard shortages and other issues.
That’s more than all four of its local competitors combined. And you might remember, a young boy drowned in 2009.