4 Nov 2012

Two men hurt in chemical spill regain consciousness

9:57 pm on 4 November 2012

One of the two men hospitalised after a chemical spill at a Whanganui tannery on Friday is now back in Whanganui.

The pair were flown to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition on Friday night following the spill at a Whanganui tanning factory, where they inhaled hydrogen sulphide fumes.

A further 19 people were also hospitalised but were later released.

The two men regained consciousness on Sunday.

A Wellington Hospital spokesperson says one of the men has now been transferred to Whanganui Hospital, in a stable condition.

The other man remains in a stable condition in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit.

The Department of Labour is investigating the chemical spill.