Suspected chemical leak near Colchester's Royal Mail depot.

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UPDATED: A dozen people taken ill after a suspected chemical incident in Colchester as specialists examine River Colne

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A BUSINESS park was evacuated and a dozen people were taken ill after a suspected chemical leak in Colchester.

Ten people received medical treatment from the ambulance service following a suspected chemical leak near Colchester's Royal Mail depot.

Two others managed to move away from the suspected leak and recover themselves.

Residents and workers by the Moorside Business Park, near East Street, began feeling unwell shortly after 3am this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene and ordered people into their homes and set up a quarter mile cordon around the Royal Mail.

It is not yet clear where the leak came from or what chemicals made people ill.

Royal Mail claim the leak was not from its premises.

Environment Agency specialists are working with fire crews to find out if the chemicals came from the River Colne, which is behind the depot.

An agency spokeswoman said specialists had found oil on the river but could not confirm it was connected to yesterday morning’s incident.

She added: “There is a very fine sheen which we found is making hardly any impact on the environment.”

Four fire crews and several specialist vehicles were sent at 3.44am.


On arrival they declared a "hazardous material event" and put into place several safety procedures.

Cordons were then set up by police and paramedics began treating the sick.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident at the Royal Mail depot in Moorside, Colchester at 3.41am today.

"Two ambulances, four hazardous area response team vehicles, one rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer attended the scene and treated ten people.

"Three were conveyed to Colchester General Hospital with ailments such as headaches and sore throats from inhaling chemical fumes.

"Seven other patients have been released as walking wounded."

Fire crews began trying to find the source and test the chemicals.

Divisional Officer Gary Jeffrey, speaking from the scene shortly after arriving, said: "We are treating this as a hazardous material event and are working to identify the chemical involved and find where it has come from.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

"Some people have been affected but we have managed to get them indoors where the effects appear to be wearing off."

By 6.30am ten people have been removed from the area to get clean air and were being treated by the ambulance service.

Other workers, including those for Royal Mail, were evacuated outside of the cordon.

The cause of the leak has still not been identified and fire crews are working with Environment Agency specialists to find out of the chemical came from the River Colne.

Royal Mail workers waited at the Waitrose supermarket as police closed several roads including the business park, parts of East Street and surrounding footpaths to keep people away from the potentially dangerous chemicals.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police are advising motorists of road closures in Colchester following an incident in the town this morning.

"Emergency services are dealing with a suspected chemical incident at the Royal Mail depot in Moorside. Reports were received at just after 3.30am that there was a strong smell of chemicals and that 12 people were unwell.

"They received medical treatment and were allowed to go home.

"The road and footpath closures are likely to remain in place for some time.

"Residents and commuters are thanked for their patience and are advised to seek alternative routes and follow any diversions that are in place."

East Street was closed at the junction to Brook Street to the Greenstead Road junction.

By 7.30am two fire engines remained on scene with a detection, identification and monitoring vehicle to try and find out what hazardous material caused the illness.

Divisional Officer Jeffrey said: "We are scaling operations back and now have the incident contained and under control.

"Our detection equipment has found no signs of any dangerous chemicals in the air.

"We are hoping that roads in the area will be open very soon and that normality will return to the area.

"All the casualties are in the care of the Ambulance Service and are being well looked after and appear to be recovering well."

Mr Jeffrey added: "Crews have carried out investigation work and no trace of any chemical has been detected.

"One possible cause could be diesel in the River Colne and the Environment Agency is currently establishing any link to the incident."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "We can confirm ten members of night-shift staff at Royal Mail’s Colchester delivery office were evacuated at 4am this morning on the advice of the fire service, after smelling chemicals.

"Staff started returning on-site at around 9.15am this morning after the fire service and Royal Mail’s internal safety team declared the office to be safe.

"The fire service put a quarter mile cordon around the office as a safety measure while they investigated.

"The cause is still not known but Royal Mail have been advised it did not originate from our site.

"Ten members of staff received medical attention to check they were ok and three members of staff were taken to hospital as a precaution and have now been released from hospital.

“As a result of the incident, there may be some minimal disruption to local delivery services today.

"Royal Mail apologises for any inconvenience this may cause, and we will do our utmost to serve our customers in Colchester whilst ensuring the safety of our staff.”

Work is still ongoing at the scene and a full investigation will be carried out.