Incident at Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls, NY - "Release of Unknown Substance"

KathleenKeating.com ^ | Sunday, 29 May 2005; 10:15 PM EDT

[Siobhan]

Sunday, 29 May 2005; 10:15 PM EDT: Ambulances and HAZMAT crews have responded to an incident at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, NY - one of three bridges located in western NY spanning between the U.S. and Canada - following only what tight-lipped Customs authorities are calling "an incident" that took place at approximately 6:00 PM EDT (corrected from 9:00 PM) inside of the Customs area. Bridge traffic has been halted in both directions and those traveling into Canada have been advised to use an alternate route.

Authorities have confirmed that at least six-(6) people were rushed to Niagara Memorial Medical Center complaining of shortness of breath; they also had their clothes placed in bags and were provided "HAZMAT containment suits" to wear. At least three dozen more are being checked out but lack any physical symptoms.

The FBI, the US Border Patrol, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and other local and state law enforcement and health agencies have responded to the incident and are investigating. The Northeast Intelligence Network has learned that the incident involved "an aerosolized substance" released into the air inside the customs area. Authorities are being tight-lipped about the individuals and circumstances involved.

[Siobhan]

I understand from e-mail from one of my children that traffic on the Rainbow Bridge has reopened.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Wonder if they caught any perps...

[Lazamataz]

The Northeast Intelligence Network has learned that the incident involved "an aerosolized substance"

Watch it be pepper spray.

[Siobhan]

We may not know for a while if ever, but it is the sort of event to put everyone on alert -- to remind folks to keep there eyes open.

[Cindy]

CANADA.com (CANADIAN PRESS)): Niagara Falls, New York - "RAINBOW BRIDGE CLOSED AFTER SUBSTANCE IRRITATES CUSTOMS OFFICIALS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Barry Morrissey, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said some officers working on the bridge had throat and nose irritation, though none required hospitalization. The officers were apparently looking at cash that someone had hidden in their vehicle, said FBI spokesman Paul Moskal. A substance mixed with the money caused the irritation, Moskal said.") (May 29, 2005) (Read More...)

[CyberAnt]

Maybe it's a trial run - testing the substance's effectiveness ..??

[Siobhan]

Thanks for that report, Cindy.

[zarf]

More like a bag of coke someone was ditching after being spotted.

[zarf]

Pepper spray.

[Siobhan]

The officers were apparently looking at cash that someone had hidden in their vehicle, said FBI spokesman Paul Moskal. A substance mixed with the money caused the irritation, Moskal said. "It doesn't seem to be anything associated with terrorism," he said.

Just a few questions come to mind: (1) Who hides cash while crossing the border? (2) Who hides cash mixed with an aerosol irritant? (3) How could Moskal even hazard a guess this early in the game whether or not this is related to terrorism? Just wondering....

[WestVirginiaRebel]

A Canadian farted?

[Pro-Bush]

I wonder what their nationality is.

[bluepistolero]

Let's see, it was Canadian Customs checking, so someone from the U.S.A. was bringing in something. Probably cigarettes or liquor, or drugs.

[CyberAnt]

They determined it was pepper spray ..??

[Squantos]

Al Qanadians in Canookistan on high alert.......film at eleven.

[Cindy]

Dope dealers and other criminal types.

[konaice]

Let's see, it was Canadian Customs checking,

Thats not the way I read it. Cindy's post said: "Barry Morrissey, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said some officers working on the bridge had throat and nose irritation, though none required hospitalization.

So that implys someone entering from Canada was stopped at US Customs..

[bluepistolero]

It is a tragedy. The rainbow bridge is where one goes to meet his deceased puppy dogs, in the next life.

[Cindy]

You're welcome.