25 Aug 2019

Hawke's Bay Hospital safe after chemical spill

12:44 pm on 25 August 2019

Police say emergency cordons at Hawke's Bay Hospital have been lifted after more than 20 people were evacuated due to a chemical spill.

All parts of the hospital were now safe, Fire and Emergency New Zealand officers said, and there was no risk to patients, public and staff.

Earlier today, cleaning chemical, formalin, was spilled in the maternity ward which led to the evacuation of 24 people.

An investiagtion into how the spill occurred is being undertaken by the District Health Board.

Police were called about 9.35am and up to six fire trucks with crews attended.