Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Man dies at Spa Castle

From NBC:

An 84-year-old man died after being found submerged in a hot tub at a luxury spa center in Queens by another patron when she stepped into the water, the woman's friend and police tell NBC 4 New York.

Hock Ma, of Forest Hills, died Sunday evening after being pulled from the water of the rooftop hot tub at Spa Castle in College Point, police said. It wasn't clear how long he had been under the water or if he suffered some type of medical emergency before becoming submerged.

The Health Department says spa pools are required to be monitored on a regular basis by an aquatic supervisor, though it wasn't clear if any were watching the tub Ma was in. Pescatore said she didn't see staff members walking by regularly to check on people in the pools and that the area wasn't lit well.

Meanwhile, NBC 4 New York's I-Team found the 100,000-square foot spa in College Point has had 28 critical violations at its indoor and outdoor facilities over the last two years, including citations for inadequate life-saving equipment and lack of qualified pool supervisors, according to inspection data from the city Health Department.

Inspection records show the outdoor facility was cited in April 2013 for not having a developed and updated pool safety plan. The indoor facility was cited in April and September over inadequate life-saving equipment and lifeguard chairs, pool overcrowding and insufficient qualified supervisory staff on duty. The facility has also been knocked four times for "operations records not maintained/submitted monthly," records show.

The Health Department said the facility corrected all its violations at the time of the last inspection in September. It has A grades for the food service establishments in the facility.

The agency said it is investigating the facility, including its safety plan, following Ma's death.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

But they sure have a hell of a YouTube ptesencecamong the vibrant and diverse set.

Anonymous said...

I hate spa castle. It is filthy and now apparently it's infested with dead bodies!

Anonymous said...

Not surprised. There are a lot of "spas" and "massage spas" in the Flushing area. It's obvious none of them are regulated or ever inspected.

Heck, how would an inspector even know? most of the signs on these places are in a foreign language.

Anonymous said...

I've been there, it's really expensive and No One is watching what's going on.

Anonymous said...

And they just opened up in Manhattan...

Anonymous said...

No Happy Ending?

How is this news?

Slow week. Are they going to report every pool, bathtub, ocean and spa death all year long?

These things happen.

Cue the 'he must have had a medical emergency' dancers.

Swim/Spa at your own risk.

Anonymous said...

Imagine the health hazards like the spread of infectious diseases here.

Anonymous said...

It's one of those vibrant and diverse establishments that exemplify the can-do entrepreneurial spirit of the most diverse immigrant-filled borough on the planet. They might not speak English well, but they know how to built a castle that serves raw seafood near a superheated pool and a hothouse. Ideal breeding ground for microscopic pests.

Furthermore, when one sees all the meaningless proclamations and citations on its walls, one would understand that the respect of elected officials is more important than that of an unelected health inspector.

Anonymous said...

I went once and hated it. Crazy expensive. Who wants to be surrounded by hundreds of strangers and screaming babies while trying to relax in a jacuzzi?

Anonymous said...

Those Jacuzzis must be like soup pots.

Next on the menu: Cream of Sum Yung Gui

Anonymous said...

Hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas are not recommended for anyone - especially the elderly - who have circulation problems or weakened immune systems. Mr Ma, aged 84, probably experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by the heat, passed out, slipped beneath the surface, and drowned. RIP

Anonymous said...

I found a dead 80 year old once it a YMCA hot tub,after 10 minutes face down I figured he was gone,they pulled him out 15 minutes later 5 people were in it.

Anonymous said...

I am very saddened by this tragic event. I have been going to Spa Castle since this wonderful spa opened in 2007. In the early days, you could experience an amazing Euro-Korean experience with funny little hats made from small towels. I have continued to go to the spa ever since it first opened, and always find the facilities to be just great, although it was much quieter in the early years. The massage therapies are the best in the city, and when you drive home you still feel relaxed instead of dealing with the stress of traveling home from Manhattan. Spa Castle also has one of the finest gourmet salad bars and steamed dumplings anywhere. Each of the heated pools are clearly labeled with temperature readings, and it is very unfortunate that no-one noticed that Mr. Ma was in distress. I will continue to enjoy the amenities at Spa Castle. It is one of the nicest business establishments in College Point.

Anonymous said...

Is that a shill hiding in the guise of anonymity?

That place is a breeding ground of yuckiness and customer service is horrible!

Anonymous said...

Just like for street deaths, they should post a sign over the pool reading "A man died here".

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you REALLY NEED a Spa Castle day!