AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a school caretaker contracted potentially lethal legionnaires' disease.
William O'Brien, aged 55, pictured, was part of a team drafted in to clean up Norfolk Park primary school in the aftermath of flooding last month.
Days later he became seriously ill, was admitted to the Northern General Hospital and is now fighti
ng for his life.
Mr O'Brien's family, who live in Walkley, fear he may have contracted the legionella bacteria during the mopping-up operation at Norfolk Park.
The council is investigating, but officers insist there is no reason to believe the school was the source of the infection.
"We would like to reassure people that all the necessary routine checks and maintenance have been done – but, to reassure everybody, I have asked that all the checks are repeated," said Steve Clark, head of health and safety.
"These checks will be carried out by an independent specialist so we can confirm that everything is in full working order and to reassure parents of the children at the school, and staff, that everything is absolutely safe."
So far, this is an isolated case – as with most instances of legionella. Early symptoms are flu-like and the majority of people who contract the disease are men over 50.
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