Eight treated in BSE blood scare

23 September 1998

Eight treated in BSE blood scare

By FWi staff

EIGHT people have been taken to hospital after 22 tonnes of cattle blood, possibly infected with BSE, spilled on to the M6 motorway.

The blood leaked on to the northbound carriageway between junctions nine and 10 near Walsall after a seal failed on a tanker lorry.

The blood was from cattle slaughtered under the Governments selective cull, designed to prevent meat infected with BSE from entering the human food chain.

It is not known whether the blood was infected with BSE, but police said they were taking all the necessary precautions.

The tanker driver, his wife, four firefighters and two policemen were treated at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Environmental health officers have been called to the scene of the spillage and motorists are advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day.