21 in hospital following Wanganui Chemical Spill

21 workers from a tanning plant are in hospitals all over New Zealand after emergency services were alerted to what was reported to be a 'serious chemical spill' at first only two fire trucks had arrived, this followed by nine ambulances and another three fire trucks. 

Dribble NZ News understands one of the 21 workers has been flown to Wellington Hospital in serious condition in a big rush.

Residents have reported to media all over New Zealand to have smelt a 'bad odour' when it occured. The spill occured at a tanning plant just after 5pm, the tanning plant was created in 1953 and is a family owned buisness. 

The acting publican at a nearby pub, Mike Rennie, says it is a serious sight on the street.

“They’ve got decontamination showers, a response team, police and around five fire trucks and all the workers are standing outside on the lawn.”

Another bystander, Bob Mair, says there are more ambulances at the scene than Whanganui has.
“They must have brought some in from out of town. It doesn’t look too good out here, it’s all taped off and the road is blocked,” he says.

Tanning is the process of treating leather and involves highly dangerous chemicals.

One of the chemicals at the tanning plant is Hydrogen Sulfide it's a colourless, poisonous, flammable gas. It has a strong smell, similar to rotten eggs.

A spokeswoman said the chemical affected lungs and breathing.