Four poisoned in Kent pub

by David Castle Greene King Pub Company is not ruling out malicious sabotage after four people were rushed to hospital after drinking a liquid, believed to be anti-freeze, from one of its pubs. Friends Ian Harber and Jamie Anderson had been enjoying a night out with their girlfriends when they popped into the Bear & Ragged Staff pub in Crayford, near Dartford. They ordered two shots from a bottle on the pub's back-bar display area, and in a matter of seconds, were violently sick. They complained to the barmaid and pub manager, who then also tried the drinks and were taken ill. All four were taken to Darent Valley Hospital on Saturday, 26 July, where they learnt that drinking a substance like anti-freeze can cause kidney failure, blindness and even death. All four were discharged the same evening. One theory being investigated is that the contents of a display bottle in the back bar may have been served up by mistake. Following the incident, Greene King launched an investigation and informed Bexley Council environmental health and trading standards officers, who took samples and sent the liquid to the Public Analyst for testing. A spokeswoman for Bexley Council environmental health office said the results were due back in the next week. In a statement, Greene King stressed it was an "isolated incident". "A thorough stock-check has taken place, which has revealed that no further bottles have been affected, said the company. "Greene King does not store anti-freeze in any of its pubs or use it in its businesses. The company is not ruling out malicious sabotage." The house managers responsible for the back-bar display have been suspended as managers of the Bear & Ragged Staff.