Poison alert causes emergency measures at Croydon Hospital after three are left needing treatment

Parts of Croydon University Hospital had to be sealed off after a woman was admitted in the early hours after swallowing poison.

The scramble to counter threat of any potential spread of toxins led to two police officers being kept in for medical observation after exposure to the unknown substance.

Officers were alerted at around 3.45am by London Ambulance Service to reports of a woman having ingested poison at an address in Thornton Heath.

A Met spokesman said: “The woman was taken to a South London hospital by LAS, where she was found to be in possession of a possible hazardous substance.

“Officers and London Fire Brigade attended the hospital and safety cordons and closures were established while specialist officers examined the item and safety procedures were enacted.

“Two officers were exposed to the substance. They remain at the hospital under observation.”

Ambulances and emergency vehicles were given access to the site of what used to be called the Mayday Hospital, off London Road.

Road closures have since been lifted and the incident stood down, police said, adding there had been no arrests.

“This was an isolated incident and Croydon University Hospital has remained open for patients throughout.”

Pictured top: The Croydon University Hospital (Picture: Google Street View)