Man dead after gas leak at Carlsberg brewery

A man has died and 22 were hospitalised after an ammonia leak at Carlsberg’s brewery in Northampton.

The Carlsberg Brewery in Northampton

Fifty firefighters and a number of ambulances were called to the brewery in Northampton town centre at 12.30pm on Wednesday, 9 November, following reports of an industrial accident.

Twenty two people, including 11 staff, two police officers and nine firefighters, were taken to hospital, but have all since been discharged, while a 51-year-old man that had been working on the site remains in a serious but stable condition.

A man in his 40s was confirmed dead the same evening, with formal identification yet to take place, as reported by the BBC.

All staff working at the site were evacuated from the building and the leak confined, with emergency services confirming no wider risk to members of the public.

“We are deeply, deeply saddened by today’s tragic incident and subsequent fatality,” Julian Momen, chief executive officer of Carlsberg UK, said in a statement.

“Our immediate thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time and we will support them in every way we can. Our further thoughts and support are with our colleagues and members of the emergency services who are being treated in hospital.

“One of our colleagues remains in a serious but stable condition. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of everyone working for us.”

The brewer said it was working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to determine how the incident occurred. Production at Carlsberg has been stopped while investigations are carried out. .

Ammonia is a colourless, reactive gas that is used within the brewing industry as a coolant. Exposure to high levels of ammonia can be fatal, causing burns and swelling in the airways and lung damage.