A pick-up truck that shed its load of gas canisters caused traffic chaos during morning rush hour.
Emergency crews shut the A120 in both directions in case the cylinders exploded.
Motorists were stuck for more than 90 minutes after the Ford Ranger pick-up and trailer overturned on the busy road between Ardleigh and Great Bromley.
About 120 cylinders, the type used by pubs to charge their pumps, were scattered across the road.
Police set up an exclusion zone as firefighters and specialists ventilated the canisters, releasing the pressure.
After they were ventilated the road was cleared and fully re-opened at 11am.
Three fire crews from Colchester and one from Wivenhoe attended the accident yesterday at 7.45am.
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