Walsall hospital in ‘chemical incident’ drama after patient walks in ‘covered in mystery white powder’
Walsall Manor Hospital was cordoned off after the man turned up to A&E coated in the mystery substance at 12:40pm
EMERGENCY services today put a major hospital on lockdown after a patient walked in "covered in white powder".
Walsall Manor Hospital was cordoned off after the man turned up to A&E coated in the mystery substance at 12:40pm.
Specialist fire and rescue teams immediately put up a green decontamination tent and shut down part of the building as scientists worked to identify the powder.
Eyewitness Karen Clifft said: "Seems Walsall Manor Hospital is on lock down, teams in chemical suits on site and areas cordoned off."
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Emergency services were called to Walsall Manor Hospital at 12.40pm.
"A man attending the hospital was covered in white powder. It appears the cause is a domestic incident rather than anything more sinister.
MYSTERY POWDER
"The man is currently being assessed and being decontaminated by the fire service crew who are also in the process of identifying the white powder.
"The hospital hasn't been evacuated and it is not believed to be any serious health risk for members of the public.
"Fire crews are working with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Police.
"Four fire appliances were originally on the scene, this was reduced to just one. It is expected to be there for an hour before the incident is concluded."
A spokesman for Walsall Manor Hospital said: "Emergency services are working together at Walsall Manor hospital following an incident involving a patient earlier today.
"The male patient arrived at the Emergency Dept (ED) and alerted staff to a powdered substance on his body which is currently being tested by specialists.
"The patient was isolated according to the correct decontamination procedures and did not come into contact with other patients.
"The main entrance is currently closed but the dept is still open as usual.
"Anyone that needs to access ED should use the entrance by ward 29."
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