Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
The four people who were hospitalised following a chemical incident at a meat processing plant in Levin have since been discharged.
Emergency services were called to the Alliance Group site on Hamaria Road at about 6.30pm on Thursday.
St John said four people were taken to Palmerston North Hospital following the incident – one in a serious condition and three in moderate condition.
An Alliance Group spokesperson said they had all now been discharged, but two were expected to return to hospital later on Friday for additional checks.
The spokesperson said processing at the plant resumed after Fire and Emergency (FENZ) handed back the site, and an internal investigation was underway.
WorkSafe said it had been notified of the incident, and that it would be conducting its own investigation.
“We are currently making initial enquiries to understand the circumstances of the event and will respond accordingly.”
Firefighters from Levin, Ōtaki and Palmerston North attended and carried out a precautionary decontamination.
Five ambulances, three rapid response units, two operations managers and a St John major incident support team initially responded to the incident.
A further 18 people were assessed and treated at the scene for a minor condition but did not need hospital transport, St John said.
A spokesperson for St John said the gas involved at the site was chlorine.
The Alliance group clarified that it was a “chemical incident” rather than a gas leak.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand