Emergency services are attending a serious incident involving chemicals at the base of St Boniface Down in Ventnor this morning (Bank Holiday Monday).
A number of resources from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service are on scene at Down Lane – the access road to St Boniface Down.
2 fire appliances, 2 fire officers and the rescue tender are in attendance alongside 2 ambulances and an operational commander.
Police are also present.
Firefighters are using breathing apparatus and a hose reel to deal with the incident, with a ventilation fan also being utilised.
Island Echo understands that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was scrambled to attend the incident but was stood down half way across the Island.
A cordon has been erected at the entrance way to St Boniface Down, with the incident centered around a track to the right. Vehicles currently positioned on top of the downs are unable to leave.
The incident began shortly before 10:00 with emergency crews from across the Island responding.
UPDATE – The road has now re-opened and the incident has been brought to a close.
UPDATE @ 17:25 – Police have confirmed that a man in his 40s has died, but the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/man-found-dead-in-vehicle-in-ventnor-chemical-incident/.
Chemicals, what sort, sounds highly dangerous if the whole down is cordoned off?
What the heck , what chemicals could close up such a LGE area ?
i am the person who found the body it was nothing like what they are saying
So it was a bit of over re-acting I guess?
finding a body is a tough one, thoughts are with you and deceased family..
My previous comment was taken down as I said the report was untrue. Freedom of speech doesn’t count on here! Hope you are ok? Not a nice experience. No chemicals involved from what I’ve been told by a friend of yours. Take care and condolences to the family. Very sad. IE please allow this comment