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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Four treated over toxic gas leak | Four treated over toxic gas leak |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people, including a paramedic, suffered breathing difficulties caused by gas inhalation | An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people, including a paramedic, suffered breathing difficulties caused by gas inhalation |
| Emergency services were called to the plant in Brechin just before 1000 BST. | Emergency services were called to the plant in Brechin just before 1000 BST. |
| One worker, a 56-year-old man from Brechin, is in a serious condition at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. | One worker, a 56-year-old man from Brechin, is in a serious condition at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. |
| Two other men are being treated for irritation to their lungs. A female paramedic was also being treated. | Two other men are being treated for irritation to their lungs. A female paramedic was also being treated. |
| The men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, are being treated in Ninewells Hospital's short-stay ward. | The men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, are being treated in Ninewells Hospital's short-stay ward. |
| First and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised North Tayside MSP John Swinney | |
| The paramedic, who treated one of the men at the scene, has also been detained in hospital with irritation to her lungs. | The paramedic, who treated one of the men at the scene, has also been detained in hospital with irritation to her lungs. |
| It is believed that their symptoms may have been caused by some form of gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide. | It is believed that their symptoms may have been caused by some form of gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide. |
| The animal incineration plant is operated by Sacone Environmental Ltd. | The animal incineration plant is operated by Sacone Environmental Ltd. |
| An abbatoir operated by sister company Matheson Jeff Ltd is also on the same site. | An abbatoir operated by sister company Matheson Jeff Ltd is also on the same site. |
| In December, the BBC reported that Sacone Environmental Ltd had been criticised by local residents in Brechin who claimed plant was releasing smells which were causing sickness in the local community. | In December, the BBC reported that Sacone Environmental Ltd had been criticised by local residents in Brechin who claimed plant was releasing smells which were causing sickness in the local community. |
| The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has already issued Sacone Environmental with two enforcement notices - one in June this year and one in June 2006. | |
| A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive told the BBC's news website that the company had volunteered to shut its doors following the incident on Wednesday. | A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive told the BBC's news website that the company had volunteered to shut its doors following the incident on Wednesday. |
| She added that a joint investigation would be carried out between the Health and Safety Executive and Tayside Police. | She added that a joint investigation would be carried out between the Health and Safety Executive and Tayside Police. |
| The plant is expected to remain closed while the investigation is being carried out. | The plant is expected to remain closed while the investigation is being carried out. |
| 'Community frustration' | |
| But MSP for North Tayside and Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said he was "deeply concerned" by the latest incident. | |
| He said: "Throughout the summer of last year close attention was paid to Sacone to ensure that they were heeding the complaints of the local community in Brechin. | |
| "This attention resulted in a heated public meeting to discuss the matter, with representatives from all the relevant authorities in attendance. | |
| "It is very frustrating that despite the attention and tense exchanges on the matter that we appear to be in a worse position than last year. | |
| "First and foremost in the minds of the operators of Sacone must be the health and wellbeing of the local community and I am very disappointed that this has been compromised today." | |
| Local councillor Mairi Evans added: "The frustration of the local community at this latest event is completely understandable. | |
| "We have been continually informed that Sacone are putting in place measures to make the installation secure, yet more incidents repeatedly occur. | |
| "I have been liaising with the local community and my colleague John Swinney on this latest incident, and I will ensure pressure is brought to bear upon Sacone to listen to the views of Brechiners." |