Fire crews have praised the quick thinking of a tanker
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driver who prevented a cloud of ammonia gas spreading across parts of the M5 in the West Midlands,
Last Tuesday Warrington-based driver Derek Smith, who works for Exel, called at Strensham Services for a sandwich. But after noticing a leak from the back of his tanker, which contained 22,000 litres of ammonia solution, he immediately drove the vehicle to the exit slip road to remove it from the service area. He also called the emergency services.
Police sealed off the area to prevent danger to passing drivers, and the wind took the ammonia away from the service station.
Fire crews from Hereford & Worcester joined colleagues from Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service to deal with the incident—Mike Redfern, assistant division officer for Hereford & Worcester Fire Service, praised Smith's actions.
"The vehicle was leaking 30% ammonia solution, which is toxic and corrosive and can cause severe skin burns and damage to the eyes." said Redfern. "The driver discovered the leak and did the right thing in moving the vehicle to the slip road. The fumes and vapour could have swept across the motorway and into the service station."