'Major incident' declared after two people exposed to unknown substance, Wiltshire Police say

Man and woman in critical condition

A “major incident” has been declared by Wiltshire Police after two people were thought to have been exposed to an unknown substance in Salisbury.

Police received a call around 4.15pm yesterday after a man and woman became unwell at The Maltings shopping area in Salisbury.

They were taken to Salisbury District Hospital, where they were treated for suspected exposure to an unknown substance. They are currently in a critical condition.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement: “At this stage it is not yet clear if a crime has been committed and a multi-agency response has been co-ordinated.

“Police are carrying out a full investigation and working with partner agencies, to clarify the exact circumstances.

“Salisbury District Hospital is advising people to still attend routine appointments unless they are contacted.”

A number of areas in Salisbury have been cordoned off while police investigate.

A Public Health England (PHE) spokesman said: “Based on the limited information available there doesn’t appear to be any further immediate risk to public health.

“PHE understands that those exposed to the substances have been decontaminated, as is standard practice in situations like this.

“Scientists from PHE’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, will continue to assist the response and review information as it becomes available.”