Poison panel calls for evidence

Poison panel calls for evidence

Payments to residents have totalled almost £400,000

People affected by a water poisoning incident in Camelford nearly 15 years ago are being offered a final chance to give evidence to a government inquiry.

Britain's worst water poisoning incident occurred on 6 July, 1988 when a contractor's relief driver poured 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate into the wrong tank at the unmanned Lowermoor treatment plant.

After 14 years of campaigning for an inquiry, a government-appointed panel began hearing evidence last year.

Some members of the panel will also be visiting Camelford next month to speak to locals who have been affected.

The committee is aiming to draft a consultation report by the end of the year.

Firm fined

Peter Smith, chair of local campaigners, the Lowermoor Support Group, said: "We are particularly interested in any health affects suffered by themselves, friends, neighbours or animals and any test results they may have on the level of contamination.

"The response has been steady, but there are still people dotted around the country who may have more information.

"It really is important that if anyone has been thinking about it, that they don't miss the last chance."

A 1999 report in the British Medical Journal said people in the area had suffered "considerable damage" to their brain function.

In 1991, South West Water Authority, which ran the treatment works, was fined £10,000 with £25,000 costs at Exeter Crown Court.

Three years later, nearly 150 residents accepted out-of-court damages ranging from £700 to £10,000.