4 sent to hospitals following N. Ind. ammonia leak

GOSHEN, Ind. — Authorities say an ammonia leak at a northern Indiana fertilizer plant has sent four people to the hospital.

Elkhart County sheriff’s Capt. James Bradberry says four people were injured when a tank containing aqua ammonia at T & T Fertilizer southwest of Goshen exploded while welding work was being done. A 24-year-old man was flown by helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. His condition was not immediately known.

Bradberry says three other males, ages 16, 56 and 61, reported having trouble breathing and were taken to Elkhart General Hospital.

The accident occurred about 11:30 a.m. Bradberry says an evacuation of the surrounding area wasn’t needed because the ammonia dissipated into the air. A hazardous material team was called in to clean up the site.