Legal news for California personal injury attorneys. San Mateo County morgue evacuated after body released chemical odor.
California personal injury attorneys alert- A evacuation of the San Mateo County morgue was implemented after deceased person released a chemical odor.
San Francisco Bay, CA—The San Mateo County morgue was evacuated after a body released a pungent chemical odor during an autopsy. The strong odor affected three staff members, who complained of sore throats and feeling light-headed. The evacuation happened on Thursday, September 10, 2009, around 11:00 a.m. at the San Mateo Medical Center, as reported by KTVU.
According to officials, a body of a deceased patient from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Redwood City was undergoing an autopsy at the San Mateo County morgue, when the body released chemical odor when the body was opened up. Apparently the deceased person had ingested acetone, which is a colorless, flammable liquid usually used in paint thinner. Three staff members at the morgue were affected by the pungent odor and had to seek medical treatment by emergency medical services (EMS) crews. The affected workers complained of sore throats and were feeling light-headed. The staff members were reportedly treated at the scene by EMS professionals and were released. The San Mateo County morgue had to be evacuated as a result of the release of the chemical odor.
The body was identified as 23-year-old Jaime Cervantez of unincorporated Redwood City. According to the Oakland Tribune, an EMS crew found Cervantez unconscious and transported him to a Redwood City hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Officials believe the man could have committed suicide, but they could not rule out foul play. The Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate the man’s death.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for California personal injury lawyers.
