Two hospitalised after ‘hazardous material incident’ in Worthing Emergency services have urged people in Worthing to stay inside, after a reported hazardous material incident

Part of Worthing has been placed on lockdown after people started vomiting and reporting burning eyes.

Sussex Police warned people in the coastal town to stay inside and close their windows and doors amid the suspected chemical incident.

Police are investigating the source of the incident, and have evacuated Worthing Pier and the surrounding area.

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Hazardous material incident

A statement said: “Emergency services are currently responding to a hazardous material incident in Worthing.

“A cordon has been set up along the seafront between Grand Avenue and Windsor Road, and people are being advised to shut all windows and doors, or stay away from the area.

“A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting.

“The investigation is ongoing and we will release more information as soon as we are able to.”

In a subsequent statement, police added: “A small number of people have reported symptoms including sore eyes and vomiting, two of whom were taken to hospital. They have both since been discharged, and advised to go home, wash their clothes and have a shower.

“Anyone else affected is advised to do the same – and use copious amounts of water to wash your eyes.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to investigate the full circumstances.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed it was called “following reports that a small number of people were suffering sore eyes and vomiting on the beach at Worthing.”

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: “WSFRS officers are continuing to work with multi partner agencies to assess the scene at Worthing seafront.”

Locked in

A staff member at Coast Cafe told Press Association that people were calm and that “a couple of people were complaining of itchy eyes.”

“They’ve cleared the seafront and we’ve got the windows closed and are locked in,” she added.

Former windsurfing world champion Christine Johnston was on the beach preparing kitesurfing lessons at 12.15pm when she and her students were told to leave by beach patrol.

“They came along on their buggy and said we should leave with immediate effect because there had been an incident,” she said.

“They said a few people had been hospitalised. They were covering their mouths with clothing.

“I did ask [what was happening] but they wouldn’t comment.

“They told us they were going to go down the area affected, between Lancing and Worthing. We went up to the cafe and saw quite a lot of movement of police cars and an ambulance.

“My eyes were a bit sore and itchy, and a friend who was on the beach said she felt her eyes were sore too.”

Additional reporting by Press Association