SILVER CITY – Ten first responders were hospitalized after responding to a possible overdose call in Silver City.
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and paramedics responded Monday around 5:34 p.m. to the Silver Star Trailer Park.
Officials said emergency personnel were attempting life-saving measures when at least one EMS worker collapsed after being exposed to what was described as a possible airborne contaminant.
The exposure led to 10 first responders being taken to Gila Regional Medical Center for evaluation. Those hospitalized reportedly included the EMS worker, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters.
The person who was the subject of the suspected overdose call died.
A DEA hazmat team later processed the home, but officials said the contaminant had not yet been identified.
There was no immediate word on the condition of the first responders. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Silver City incident comes just weeks after a similar hazmat situation in Mountainair, where New Mexico State Police said fentanyl was identified as the main substance inside a home where three people died and multiple first responders were exposed.
In that case, investigators also reported finding methamphetamine and para-fluorofentanyl, also known as P-4 fentanyl. State officials said 25 people were exposed during the Mountainair incident, including first responders.
Medical officials have cautioned that fentanyl exposure is most dangerous when a person swallows, inhales or injects the substance, while skin exposure alone usually does not cause serious symptoms.
Authorities have not said whether the Silver City case involved fentanyl or any other specific drug.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – john@bravomic.com
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