25/10/2012

Four Treated For Cyanide Poisoning

Two men have been treated for suspected cyanide poisoning in the Western Isles after one of them smashed a bottle thought to contain the deadly poison.

Two female paramedics who treated them have also been decontaminated in hospital after the accident at Uig Lodge on the west side of Lewis.

The poison is understood to have been in storage and was for pest control.

Northern Constabulary were called to the private estate in Timsgarry at about 19:20 on Wednesday.

The alarm was raised when one of the men, understood to be the owner, accidentally smashed the bottle.

He tried to get help at the local GP's surgery but it was shut, and a friend concerned for his health started to drive the man to hospital in Stornoway.

However, their car was intercepted by police and a roadside decontamination unit was set up.

The men were then taken to the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway where they were decontaminated again along with the paramedics.

(H/CD)


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