Man sectioned after white powder scare at Walsall Manor
A man who put Walsall Manor Hospital's A&E department on high alert has been sectioned under the mental health act.
There was widespread concern at the hospital on Sunday when a man walked into the emergency department covered in a white powder.
The 49-year-old was quickly isolated by hospital staff who shut the main entrance to the department.
The hospital was not evacuated and the man was decontaminated by specialist fire crews, who are today still working to establish exactly what substance the powder was.
Hospital bosses insist there was no risk to public safety as the man did not come into contact with any other patients.
It has since emerged that the man has been sectioned.
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Kate Baker said: "Emergency services were called to the Manor Hospital in Walsall at around 12.40pm on Sunday to reports of a man attending covered in white powder.
"A 49-year-old was assessed by medical staff and specialist fire officers. He was later sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
"The hospital was not evacuated and there were no serious health risk for members of the public.
"Inquiries are underway to determine what the substance was."
