Six Fatalities and Many Hospitalizations Follow Chemical leak at Gainesville, GA. Plant

A 10H00 EST on Thursday January 27th a major chemical leak occurred at the Foundation Foods/Prime Pak plant on Memorial Drive in Gainesville. The accident resulted in six fatalities and at least 12 hospitalizations, including three first –responders and with some victims in critical condition. About 100 workers were evacuated to a nearby school for subsequent clinical evaluation. Initial reports ascribed the event to “a nitrogen leak” but to have caused the extent of injury victims would have to have been in a confined space for anoxia to have resulted in death. Based on thefatalities and injuries sustained, ammonia should be considered.

The plant employing about 130, processes and packs patties, tenders, and meat presentations using beef, pork and chicken.

The incident will be investigated by state and federal agencies.

EGG-NEWS extends condolences to the bereaved and hope for a speedy recovery of those exposed to the chemical leak.