At least one taken to hospital after ammonia leak at freezer factory just north of Oamaru

At least one person was taken to hospital after being exposed to an ammonia leak that triggered the closure of State Highway 1 and a full evacuation of a freezer plant near Oamaru.

Emergency services were called to the leak at the Alliance Group Pukeuri factory on Works Rd in Pukeuri, just over five miles north of Oamaru, around 10:18 p.m. Friday.

New Zealand fire and emergency spokesman Simon Lyford said a team from Oamaru initially dealt with the gas leak, but soon saw a cloud of ammonia in the middle. above the plant. Another team from Oamaru, Weston, and a dangerous command unit from Timaru were called in to help.

Staff were evacuated and teams were sent to the site to remove others who had failed to exit before their arrival, he said.

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The leak also caused the nearby stretch of State Highway 1 to be closed for some time as the cloud had moved from the site and across the road.

Lyford said the first indications were that two people had been taken to hospital for check-ups after being exposed to the ammonia leak.

However, a spokeswoman for St John confirmed that one person was taken to Oamaru hospital in a minor condition.

The site was again ruled safe about an hour later and all crews left the scene, Lyford said.

It is not yet clear what caused the leak.

Police also responded to the factory.

More soon.