Post by emre on Apr 7, 2009 14:27:28 GMT
Today's Chronicle A1 shut by Berwick after man killed by toxic fumes
Apr 7 2009 by Sophie Doughty, Evening Chronicle
A TOXIC chemical alert killed one man and left four police officers in hospital today.
A huge containment exercise was launched following the incident in Northumberland and a stretch of the A1 was closed over fears it could be contaminated.
It was sparked when police were called to a lay-by at Cocklawburn Beach, near Berwick, after reports at 8pm yesterday that a seriously ill man had been found lying on the grass.
They discovered a metal container emitting an unidentified noxious industrial chemical on a seat in the man’s car.
A decision was made to take the man to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but he died as the ambulance went up the A1 in Scotland. His death sparked concerns about the welfare of police and paramedics who had come in contact with the substance.
A stretch of the A1 was closed to allow for a decontamination operation to take place, involving Scottish police and fire crews. The road was closed for five hours.
Four Northumbria Police officers were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for observation where they remained overnight, along with two Scottish paramedics.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Northumbria Police received a report of concern for the welfare of a man at a lay-by at Cocklawburn Beach. Officers attended the scene and found a seriously ill man.
“A metal container in the man's car appeared to be discharging a noxious substance, an industrial chemical, and it was decided that the injured man would be taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
“On the way to the hospital, on the A1 in Scotland, the man died and concerns were raised about his exposure to the noxious substance and the exposure of police officers and other emergency staff.
“Four officers from Northumbria Police were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for observation overnight.”
This morning the container remained in the car which has been cordoned off by police.
The police spokesman added: “The risk of contamination is limited to direct exposure and there is no risk to the public.’’
Apr 7 2009 by Sophie Doughty, Evening Chronicle
A TOXIC chemical alert killed one man and left four police officers in hospital today.
A huge containment exercise was launched following the incident in Northumberland and a stretch of the A1 was closed over fears it could be contaminated.
It was sparked when police were called to a lay-by at Cocklawburn Beach, near Berwick, after reports at 8pm yesterday that a seriously ill man had been found lying on the grass.
They discovered a metal container emitting an unidentified noxious industrial chemical on a seat in the man’s car.
A decision was made to take the man to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but he died as the ambulance went up the A1 in Scotland. His death sparked concerns about the welfare of police and paramedics who had come in contact with the substance.
A stretch of the A1 was closed to allow for a decontamination operation to take place, involving Scottish police and fire crews. The road was closed for five hours.
Four Northumbria Police officers were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for observation where they remained overnight, along with two Scottish paramedics.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Northumbria Police received a report of concern for the welfare of a man at a lay-by at Cocklawburn Beach. Officers attended the scene and found a seriously ill man.
“A metal container in the man's car appeared to be discharging a noxious substance, an industrial chemical, and it was decided that the injured man would be taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
“On the way to the hospital, on the A1 in Scotland, the man died and concerns were raised about his exposure to the noxious substance and the exposure of police officers and other emergency staff.
“Four officers from Northumbria Police were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for observation overnight.”
This morning the container remained in the car which has been cordoned off by police.
The police spokesman added: “The risk of contamination is limited to direct exposure and there is no risk to the public.’’
