Lewes Prison ‘mass poisoning’ update after 6 rushed to hospital & specialist paramedics called in
SIX prisoners and staff who were rushed to hospital after a mass food poisoning incident at a prison yesterday have been discharged.
Around fifteen people felt unwell after a curry was served after a Maundy Thursday mass with three chaplains and three prisoners taken to hospital.
Ambulances were called HMP Lewes, a Category B men’s prison in East Sussex, at around midday on Thursday.
A paramedic crew which deals with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events attended the scene.
The Sun understands all six who had to be treated in hospital have all now been discharged.
A Prison Service spokesperson said yesterday: “We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food poisoning incident at HMP Lewes.”
The prison was not put under lockdown and the incident was not initially believed to relate to drugs.
Nearby Eastbourne District General Hospital was temporarily “stood up to potentially receive casualties”, but has since been stood down, a spokesperson said.
In a short statement, Sussex Police confirmed it was assisting the ambulance service “following the report of a medical incident” at the prison at around 12.30pm.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed it had been called to assist and was “currently working with other agencies and specialist teams”.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “Earlier today, Eastbourne District General Hospital was stood up to potentially receive casualties following an incident at HMP Lewes.
“We have now been stood down. Care at the hospital has not been affected, and continues to operate as usual.”