28/05/2009

Man Dies After Coming Into Contact With 'Noxious Substance'

A man has died and several police officers hospitalised after coming into contact with a "noxious substance" on a farm in Guildford, Surrey, according to police.

Police were called to Burpham Court Farm in Guildford at around 1am. They discovered the man in his 50s suffering from breathing difficulties.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Seven officers were taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford where they are under observation.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service were also called to what had been identified as a potential domestic dispute.

Investigations are taking place to establish what the substance was, but it is believed it could be a form of poison, possibly a pesticide or insecticide.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "Following a call to Surrey Police during the early hours of May 28, officers arrived at Burpham Court Farm, Guildford, regarding a concern to safety.

"One person - a man in his 50s - was found at the premises and it was apparent some sort of noxious substance was present at the scene which is currently being investigated."

Officers alerted ambulance and fire services to the scene but the man died before he could be taken to hospital.

(JM/BMcC)

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