14 DAY TRIAL // A woman getting the hiccups in a restaurant was offered a cup of vinegar by helpful staff. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a detergent used for cleaning ovens.
The incident took place at The Point Restaurant on the Gold Coast in Australia, local newspaper Gold Coast reported.
She swallowed the heavy-duty detergent in full and felt the effects almost immediately. Waiters and other guests watched as she started chocking.
A waitress had advised her to drink a small quantity of vinegar to cure the hiccups, which had become disruptive and uncontrollable.
When the server noticed that the customer was chocking, she called for the staff to check the contents of the small glass brought for her.
They realized that she had been served from a bottle of cleaning fluid standing next to the vinegar bottle.
At 8.40 p.m., the client was transported to Pindara Hospital where doctors told her that the substance she ingested was poisonous.
She was placed in intensive care with serious wounds, but the hospital is refusing to divulge details about her current status. The name of the accidental poisoning victim has also been withheld.
Point owner Paul Jeynes is a high-profile businessman, previously mentioned in a book named Mr. Millionaire. He made his fortune by starting Termicide, a pest-control service available on the Gold Coast.
“It's a hard situation, it is very unfortunate and we feel for the family and the woman,” he tells the woman's relatives.
“It was an accident but we accept full responsibility,” he adds, noting that they are making inquiries into who has been responsible for the mistake.
Workplace Health and Safety is also investigating the restaurant now.
”This is a terrible thing for the restaurant but it's not about us right now.
“We will do everything and anything to assist her family,” Jeynes says.