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Warning over River Trent cyanide Warning over River Trent cyanide
(about 2 hours later)
The deadly chemical cyanide and a quantity of raw sewage have leaked into a 30-mile stretch of the River Trent in Staffordshire.The deadly chemical cyanide and a quantity of raw sewage have leaked into a 30-mile stretch of the River Trent in Staffordshire.
Thousands of fish have died and people are being warned to stay away from the river while the incident is controlled.Thousands of fish have died and people are being warned to stay away from the river while the incident is controlled.
The Environment Agency said pollution in the stretch between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall made it a health risk.The Environment Agency said pollution in the stretch between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall made it a health risk.
Farmers, anglers and boaters have been warned that water should not be taken out of the river "for any reason".Farmers, anglers and boaters have been warned that water should not be taken out of the river "for any reason".
We expect there will be quite a big clean-up operation involved RSPCA spokeswomanWe expect there will be quite a big clean-up operation involved RSPCA spokeswoman
Alan Walters, from the Environment Agency, told BBC News the incident had had "a huge impact".Alan Walters, from the Environment Agency, told BBC News the incident had had "a huge impact".
He said they were attempting to use hydrogen peroxide to offset the worst effects of the spillage.He said they were attempting to use hydrogen peroxide to offset the worst effects of the spillage.
The Agency said the pollution was expected to reach Burton on Trent by late afternoon on Wednesday. Andrew Marsh, from Severn Trent Water, said a leak of cyanide, which had not been caused by the company, had knocked out a water treatment plant and this had led to a discharge of sewage.
The Environment Agency said the pollution was expected to reach Burton on Trent by late afternoon on Wednesday.
It is thought the risk to the public may then have been reduced but officers were continuing to monitor the situation.It is thought the risk to the public may then have been reduced but officers were continuing to monitor the situation.
A spokeswoman said an investigation had been launched into the cause but could not give further information for legal reasons.A spokeswoman said an investigation had been launched into the cause but could not give further information for legal reasons.
'Tracking' pollution'Tracking' pollution
The cyanide and untreated sewage were at levels to be "cause for concern, especially with regard to fish, wildlife and animals".The cyanide and untreated sewage were at levels to be "cause for concern, especially with regard to fish, wildlife and animals".
Thousands of fish have already died but it was important that farm animals and dogs were kept out of the water.Thousands of fish have already died but it was important that farm animals and dogs were kept out of the water.
"We are tracking the pollution as it moves downstream," the spokeswoman added."We are tracking the pollution as it moves downstream," the spokeswoman added.
The RSPCA said it would be sending a team to the area at first light to assess the situation.The RSPCA said it would be sending a team to the area at first light to assess the situation.
"We expect there will be quite a big clean-up operation involved. For those people with livestock we would remind them to get them away from the area as safely as possible," a spokeswoman said."We expect there will be quite a big clean-up operation involved. For those people with livestock we would remind them to get them away from the area as safely as possible," a spokeswoman said.