New Zealand / Regional

Leak forces patients from Auckland hospital unit

20:36 pm on 28 July 2011

More than 400 people were evacuated from Auckland City Hospital on Thursday after a nurse noticed a leak from a huge oxygen tank in the day-stay oncology unit.

The tank provides oxygen for most of the hospital. A spokesperson says a safety valve popped, indicating the tank's pressure was too high, so a nurse alerted the Fire Service.

Auckland District Health Board general manager of operations Ngaire Buchanan says 12 patients and more than 400 non-clinical staff were evacuated as a precaution.

No one was injured in the incident and an investigation has been launched.