Two pensioners died after dangerous chemicals spilled into Poole harbour after two ferries collided.The dead couple, in their eighties, were found by a Danish lifeboat crew, half a mile from the incident- which happened at 9:10am this morning.
The pensioners had leapt off the sandbanks ferry, with 28 others after it started to fill with water from a hole that had been formed by the collison.
They are thought to have been killed by a poisonous chemical, released during the collision. The toxic substance, known as Lindane, is highly poisonous and has contaminated the area- meaning the beach will be closed to all the public for 48 hours. Fishermen have been informed by the Environmental Agency not to proceed fishing for 2-3 weeks as the surrounding sealife has been destroyed.
Chemical boons are being installed around the area by the Agency, which is controlling the spread of the spillage.
The couple are thought to be the only fatalities, with chief loader for Sandbanks ferry, Nick Gosney, 72 saying other passengers have only suffered “cuts and bruises”. Although over 70 people have been hospitalized to ensure they have not been harmed by the toxic substance.
The spillage occurred when the ferry collided with the L Taurus cargo ship. The 20 trucks, which the cargo ship was carrying, were knocked over as water leaked through the openings that were created by the accident. One of the trucks contained the deadly chemical.
The incident was a disastrous start for the ship, which was heading for Cherbourg in France, for what was its first day of function. Bridget Verdon, a spokesperson for Tall-Bay Seaways, the company that owns the ship, commented that the event was “unfortunate” and “very, very sad.”
When questioned on the people who jumped off the Sandbanks ferry, Mrs Verdon said:
“People just panicked and jumped into the water. I’m sure if they didn’t panic they would have been okay.”
Police were on the scene, investigating further this morning and looking to speak to any witnesses.
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