Police in hazmat suits had sealed off Manchester street for fear about deadly toxin

This article is more than 8 months old

This article is more than 8 months old

A man is recovering in hospital after consuming castor beans, which contain traces of the deadly toxin ricin.

Officers wearing protective clothing sealed off a street in Manchester on Saturday morning, but Greater Manchester police said on Sunday that the investigation into the incident had ended and there were no longer concerns about the health of the man, who is in his 20s.

Medics called police to an address in Wythenshawe at about 9am after reports that the man had consumed an unknown substance.

Supt Paul Walker said: “We appreciate the concern of those in the area, and that members of the public may have been alarmed to see emergency services personnel in protective suites.

“However, this was as an appropriate cautionary measure to the incident, during which there was no wider threat to the community.

“I’d like to thank the public for their patience while investigations were brought to a conclusion, particularly those in the immediate vicinity.

“I’d also like to thank our emergency services partners, whose care and professionalism brought this incident to a safe conclusion. We’re happy to hear that the man has made a good recovery in hospital and we wish him well.”

The castor bean plant is an evergreen herbaceous shrub. While castor oil can be safely extracted from the seeds, eating them can be fatal because the husks are poisonous.