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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Four treated over toxic gas leak | Four treated over toxic gas leak |
| (1 day later) | |
| An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people suffered breathing difficulties caused by "toxic" gas inhalation, police said. | An animal incineraton plant has been shut after four people suffered breathing difficulties caused by "toxic" gas inhalation, police said. |
| 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 is in a critical condition in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. Two other men and a female paramedic are also being treated. | One worker is in a critical condition in Dundee with severe damage to his lungs. Two other men and a female paramedic are also being treated. |
| Their injuries are thought to be as a result of toxic gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide. | Their injuries are thought to be as a result of toxic gas inhalation, possibly hydrogen sulphide. |
| Tayside Police said one man, a 53-year-old from Brechin who worked at the plant, is still in a critical condition in the High Dependency Unit at Ninewells Hospital. | Tayside Police said one man, a 53-year-old from Brechin who worked at the plant, is still in a critical condition in the High Dependency Unit at Ninewells Hospital. |
| Three others are still being monitored in the short stay ward within Ninewells Hospital with lung complaints. | Three others are still being monitored in the short stay ward within Ninewells Hospital with lung complaints. |
| They are two men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, and a female paramedic. | They are two men, aged 53 and 34, one from Perth and the other from Brechin, and a female paramedic. |
| 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 | 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 premises, run by Sacone Environmental Ltd, employs 25 full-time staff. The plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week processing animal carcasses. | |
| The plant primarily takes animals killed at the Matheson Jess abattoir, situated next to the plant, for gasification. | The plant primarily takes animals killed at the Matheson Jess abattoir, situated next to the plant, for gasification. |
| 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 Environment 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 (HSE) told BBC Scotland'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' | 'Community frustration' |
| But MSP for North Tayside and Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said he was "deeply concerned" by the latest incident. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |