NATCHEZ — An ill-placed boring broke a gas line at Merit Health Natchez mid-morning Tuesday, leading to a response from police, fire and gas company officials that included the closure of a turning lane on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

Natchez Fire Department Battalion Chief C.R. Gibson said the hospital — formerly Natchez Regional Medical Center — was putting up signage when the gas line break happened.

“They had all the lines marked, and they accidentally hit a gas line while they were drilling a hole to put a new sign up,” Gibson said.

Merit Health Natchez Chief Executive Officer Eric Robinson said the leak did not result in a need for evacuation and care of then-current patients continued without interruption.

While repairs were being completed, the hospital diverted ambulances and emergency surgeries to the Merit Health Natchez — Community Campus on Jefferson Davis Boulevard.

One planned surgery for Tuesday was postponed because of the incident, Robinson said.

Atmos Energy Spokesman Robert Lesley said the broken line was repaired by 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

While Atmos still had to purge air from the line, Lesley said gas service was restored to the hospital.