Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is frequently portrayed as a magical world where confectionery fantasies come true. However, the narrative comes with a warning: chocolate factories can be dangerous, and visitors should exercise caution to avoid being sucked up a tube or tossed down a chute.
It’s a principle that was brought to life on Thursday at the Mars M&M factory in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, when two workers were rescued from a chocolate tank.
According to Lancaster County 911 spokesman Nick Schoenberger, the first victim was rescued about 3:10 p.m. (local time) after falling into the tank, and the second was out by 3:25 p.m. Both people were taken to local hospitals, but their situations are unknown at this time.
Reuters reported that the event started at 1:51 p.m., and both workers were caught in waist-high chocolate for more than an hour.
“One patient was transported by ground and one person was transported by helicopter,” Schoenberger said.
The situation was further complicated when it was established that the two people could not be withdrawn in the same way they entered. According to Brad Wolfe, communications supervisor for Lancaster County 911 dispatch, “firefighters have removed pulling them right out of a tank. To get them out, they’ll have to cut a hole in the tank’s side.”
A Mars Wrigley spokesperson was quoted as saying by Fox44News that they were managing the situation and are “extremely grateful for the quick work of the first responders.”
Both people were taken to the hospital, the extent of any injuries is still unknown, but a spokesperson for the Lancaster Bureau of Police told Today that those involved were likely taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Officials told local media that the two people were undertaking maintenance work for an outside contracting firm at the time of the incident.
The facility is located 12 miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is known for producing M&Ms and Dove chocolate.
Sources: Dailywire, Lancasteronline, Jpost, CNN