Ammonia gas leak from tanker truck in Oklahoma sickens dozens, some seriously, forces evacuations

"WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- A leaking tanker truck spewed dangerous ammonia gas in a hotel parking lot, forcing hundreds of residents in a small Oklahoma city to evacuate and sending several dozen people to the hospital, authorities said Thursday. Officials lifted a shelter-in-place order Thursday morning, hours after firefighters wearing gas masks went door-to-door in Weatherford, waking people up and telling them to leave because of fumes from the anhydrous ammonia leak."

"The local hospital treated 36 people in its emergency room, said Darin Farrell, president of Weatherford Regional Hospital. One person was admitted in good condition and 10 were taken to hospitals in Oklahoma City, he said. He did not know the conditions of those who were transferred. Police Chief Angelo Orefice earlier said that four patients were in critical condition. The tanker truck began billowing ammonia late Wednesday, causing those in the immediate area to suffer from respiratory distress, city officials said at a news conference."

"At least 500 to 600 people went to a shelter early Thursday while others were ordered to remain inside their homes for several hours. Some nursing homes were evacuated, and schools were closed for the day. Trisha Doucet called police for help when she learned the leak was blocks away from where her mother was caring for her bed-bound 89-year-old grandmother. An ambulance was quickly dispatched to get her to safety."

A tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia leaked in a hotel parking lot in Weatherford, Oklahoma, producing hazardous fumes and respiratory distress. Firefighters wearing gas masks went door-to-door to wake residents and order evacuations; a shelter-in-place was later lifted. At least 500 to 600 people sought shelter, some nursing homes were evacuated, and schools closed for the day. Weatherford Regional Hospital treated 36 people in its emergency room; one person was admitted and 10 were transferred to Oklahoma City hospitals, while four patients were reported in critical condition. An ambulance was dispatched to evacuate a bed-bound nursing patient near the leak.

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