Two injured in HGV collision that caused chemical spill
TWO people were injured in a traffic collision on the M3 last Wednesday, which caused a chemical spill on the road that required specialist crews to clear.
The crash closed two lanes of the motorway between Junction 5 A287 (Hook) and Junction 4A A327 (Farnborough). Hampshire Roads Policing Unit tweeted that specialist crews had been deployed.
In a statement, the police said: “Scene on M3 north challenging. Multi-agency response with emphasis on getting back to normal asap but this will be protracted. Hand unloading of chemicals and specialist clean-up required”.
They went on to confirm that the collision involved “a corrosive liquid spill and HGV crash”. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service also reported that it was on the scene with multiple crews in attendance.
A spokesman told the News & Mail’s online sister publication HampshireLive on Thursday: “Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision involving a car and a heavy goods vehicle on the M3 northbound carriageway yesterday at 13.24. Fleet, Rushmoor and Basingstoke crews assisted with treating two casualties at the scene between junctions 5 and 4a, before they were passed into the care of South Central Ambulance Service paramedics.
“Crews from Basingstoke, Overton and Alton, along with specialist support vehicles from Eastleigh and Romsey were on the scene to make the scene safe, with the HGV suffering a leak. Two of the three lanes were closed causing heavy traffic ahead of rush hour.”
Firefighters in breathing apparatus and gas-tight suits continued to work into the evening to stem the leak and contain the load before a stop message was issued at 7.43pm.
Traffic was able to pass the scene but two lanes remained closed overnight.
National Highways confirmed to HampshireLive on Thursday that “the specialist clean-up is now complete and all lanes have been open since 5am this morning”.