Cornish leisure centre staff praised for response to "extremely distressing incidents"
Launceston Community Leisure Centre have released a statement after two people died
A leisure centre in Cornwall have released a statement after two people died in separate incidents in recent days.
Launceston Community Leisure Centre say they happened on Sunday (16 July) and Tuesday (18 July).
One of the men was a leisure centre member who suffered a medical episode following his swim and the other man was working in a park near the building - he was found collapsed and unresponsive.
In a statement, the leisure centre said: "Many of you are already aware that there have been two occasions in recent days where the emergency services and air ambulance have attended the leisure centre in Coronation Park.
"We can confirm that the first incident on Sunday 16th July involved a leisure centre member who suffered a medical episode following his swim.
"The lifeguards, along with a nurse who was using the facility at the time, were able to assist him until the emergency services arrived.
"He was flown by Cornwall Air Ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that his condition deteriorated later that day and he passed away in hospital.
"On Tuesday 18th July leisure centre staff went to assist where a gentleman working in the park had been found collapsed and unresponsive.
"The leisure centre’s AED defibrillator was used and lifeguards performed manual CPR, along with assistance from a member of the public, until the emergency services arrived. Distressingly he was confirmed deceased by the emergency services attending the scene.
"We would like to thank Cornwall Air Ambulance, Devon & Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service for all their support, including checking on the welfare of the staff involved. We would also like to say how proud we are of the emergency response from the centre staff and, in particular, the lifeguards who assisted directly with these two extremely distressing incidents.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two gentlemen involved at this very difficult time."
People leaving comments on the leisure centre's Facebook post have praised the efforts of staff for their response in helping the two men before emergency services arrived.