Chemical Leak in Indiana Sends 15 People to the Hospital

— -- A chemical leak near an Indiana racetrack sent at least 15 people to the hospital and forced the evacuation of hundreds from the track Saturday, police said.

The evacuation occurred at the Quarter Midget Track in Terre Haute. A chemical leak -- later determined to be sulfur dioxide -- emanated from the nearby Hydrite Chemical Company, according to Sgt. Jason Czupryn of the Terre Haute Police Department.

“I was in the bleachers watching races,” one young spectator told ABC affiliate WAWV, “and I started smelling stuff and people started evacuating, so I guess I followed.”

“People complained of some breathing difficulty and burning skin,” said Joe Swan of the Terre Haute Fire Department. “We treated it per the INDOT regulations, and from there we've got things under control at this time.”

Hydrite found the leak and quickly shut off the pipes, WAWV reported.

At least 15 people were taken to hospital with "bronchial irritation," Czupryn said. A regional hospital said in a statement that 15 people were received -- 13 of them were treated and released.

The track and a surrounding large area were evacuated for two hours. Czupryn added that everything was contained, and that hazmat and fire personnel cleared the area and reopened it.

It is unclear how many spectators were in attendance at the time.