BLEACHY HEAD
Dozens forced to flee haze of ‘toxic chlorine’ at seaside beauty spot
DOZENS of beachgoers fled a beauty spot yesterday after a toxic chemical haze left many ill.
Up to 50 people suffered symptoms including vomiting, streaming eyes and sore throats when the suspected cloud of chlorine gas drifted across the sea at Beachy Head, East Sussex.
Emergency services told residents living nearby to stay away from beaches and to keep doors and windows closed.
The cloud moved inland along a sixmile section of the coastline from Eastbourne to Birling Gap, part of Seven Sisters national park near Beachy Head.
The coastguard, police, ambulances and fire and rescue crews were called to the scene and fears that holidaymakers and residents could be trapped on the beach prompted the launch of lifeboats with doctors on board.
Some of those affected by the gas said it smelt like chlorine. Symptoms of chlovideo
rine gas poisoning can include difficulty breathing, nausea and eye irritation.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue officer Dawn Whittaker tweeted: ‘The fire service has emergency services dealing with an environmental incident near Birling Gap – many casualties, public advised to avoid area.’
Sussex Police said the first report about the noxious cloud came in just before 5pm and that up to 50 people had been affected by irritation to eyes and throats.
‘This seems to have been caused by an unknown haze coming in from the sea, but the source has not yet been established,’ the force added.
One Twitter user, Rebecca, shared a of her streaming red eyes, tweeting: ‘Nice day at Birling Gap beach turned into a nightmare – some sort of chlorine gas leak has made my eyes red raw.’
And Sameer Jadhav wrote: ‘Birling Gap – some weird gas leak. People crying. Ambulances called. Don’t go to Birling Gap at the moment.’
Asthma sufferer Sam Steele, 20, and his family had to abandon a meal out in Eastbourne after he became breathless, light-headed and nauseous as a result of the gas. His brother Joe, 29, a musician from Guildford who suffered sore eyes, said: ‘Sam has severe asthma. There was a point where I considered taking him to an ambulance nearby. ‘His symptoms were pretty severe for about 20 minutes, but he is fine now. It was a strange atmosphere in the town – very subdued.’ Eastbourne councillor Kathy Ballard said: ‘It is a matter of concern. We need to find out the cause – where did this come from – and to make sure steps are taken so it does not happen again.’
‘Nice day turned into a nightmare’