UPDATE: 37 People Hospitalized Following Anhydrous Ammonia Leak
A sheriff's spokesman says 37 people have been hospitalized following an anhydrous ammonia leak in a north Chicago suburb. The spill happened in Beach Park, about 40 miles north of downtown Chicago.
Officers say a tractor was towing two separate 2-ton containers of the chemical when there was a leak.
Police say seven of those hospitalized are in critical, but stable condition, including one firefighter. Three officers who were first to arrive on the scene were overcome by the fumes. They are now in good condition.
Most of those injured suffered breathing problems. Residents within a 1-mile radius of the leak were initially told to close their windows and remain indoors. The plume eventually dissipated.
