Man dies next to works van 'after being exposed to chemical spill'

A man was found dead in the street after being exposed to a 'chemical spill', investigators believe.

Emergency services flocked to Douglas Avenue in Billinge, St Helens, yesterday morning to reports that a man was collapsed in the street.

A neighbour told the Liverpool Echo that the man, who appeared to be in his 50s, received CPR from paramedics near a works van in the leafy village near Wigan just after 10am.

The eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Everyone is out on the street. There's lots of heavy sirens and lights going around. Pretty much the whole street is closed from top to bottom.'

He claimed people in hazmat suits from The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were also on Douglas Avenue. HART provides support in challenging environments such as chemical incidents, hazardous materials and confined spaces. 

Tragically the force confirmed that the man suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at the scene. It was determined that he died after being exposed to the chemical Xylene.

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Another individual that was at the property was also examined by North West Ambulance Service but it was found that the person had not been exposed to Xylene.

Xylene has various uses, including as a cleaning agent and a thinner for paint and varnishes.

Short-term exposure can irritate your eyes, noses and throats and affect your brain. Long-term exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness and heart problems.

A multi-agency meeting took place and a plan was created to examine a works van outside the premises for a possible 'chemical spill'.

The van was examined and deemed safe shortly after.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: 'We can confirm that emergency services attended a report of concern for the safety of a man in Billinge this morning (Saturday 28 September).

'At around 10.20am, officers were called to Douglas Avenue to reports that a man in his 50s had suffered a cardiac arrest. Paramedics attended and he was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. 

'The man's death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin have been informed.'