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Company issues statement after chemical spill caused major incident in Trafford

Residents had been told to keep their windows shut.

Daisy Jackson - 5th March 2024

A statement has been issued addressing a chemical spill in Trafford Park that triggered a major incident to be declared.

A massive emergency services response was scrambled to the area on Monday morning, and residents and businesses in Trafford Park and the surrounding areas were told to keep keep all doors and windows shut.

Lanxess, a specialty chemical company with a plant on Tenax Road, confirmed that the spillage occurred during the unloading of a tanker truck.

The company has also confirmed that a full investigation will take place.

The chemical spill triggered a 300m cordon around the scene in Trafford Park until the Major Incident was de-escalated yesterday afternoon.

One person, believed to be a worker at the plant, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service confirmed that the risk to the public was low, but issued some symptoms to watch out for.

They said: “If anyone in the local area suffers symptoms including breathlessness, wheezing or bluing of the lips and fingers, you are advised to seek medical help via NHS 111 online – 111.nhs.uk.”

Lanxess has now issued a statement addressing yesterday’s chemical spill incident in Trafford.

A spokesperson said: “Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has begun the investigation of today’s incident at the site in Trafford Park, Manchester, thoroughly. At around 9 o’clock this morning, a chemical spilled during the unloading of a tanker truck.

“Emergency services arrived at the site shortly after to work with the site and contain the spillage. The leak was contained and stopped by late morning.

“To ensure safety of all employees, the site was evacuated. One person was taken to hospital for observation as a precaution. The cooperation with emergency services and authorities went smoothly.”

A spokesperson for NWAS said: “We can confirm that we have deescalated from a Major Incident after a chemical leak at an industrial site on Tenax Road, Trafford Park, Manchester.

“Resources were scaled back to support the ongoing operation by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service however, the incident has now closed down with all NWAS resources leaving site.

“Our protocols require us to deploy enough vehicles to support a large-scale incident; fortunately, they weren’t required on this occasion. One patient has been taken to hospital for further assessment.

“The risk to the public from the leak has been determined to be low; however, if anyone in the local area suffers symptoms including breathlessness, wheezing or bluing of the lips and fingers, you are advised to seek medical help via NHS 111 online – 111.nhs.uk.

“We want to thank the local community for their patience while emergency services continue to deal with the situation.”