UPDATE: Chemical alert after 'unexplained' death

PICTURE: DREW GEDDES

Emergency services attended at the Old Glen area near Terregles after the discovery of an unconscious man around midday. Police, fire crews and ambulances were called out and a 100-metres exclusion zone placed around a farm cottage. A spokesman for Police Scotland said later: "Emergency services attended and discovered the body of a man within. His death is currently being treated as unexplained. "In addition, they came across a chemical spillage on the floor of the cottage. "Enquiries are underway to establish the nature of the substance." A number of roads were closed for a period between Terregles Village and the Old Glen Road to allow emergency vehicles access to the location and the public were advised to avoid the area. Eye-witnesses close-by described noticing several people wrapped in foil safety blankets during the early stages of the response. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews attended from near-by Dumfries. An SFRS spokesman said a number of their units were called out at 1.18 pm to assist other emergency services. They still remained at the scene at 4.45 pm. NEWSDESK: 01461-202417