A pollution scare was narrowly avoided when a tanker carrying diesel and gas slid off the causeway linking Osea Island with Maldon.

The incident happened at about 9.30am yesterday(Thursday) when the tanker went off the side of the road between the island and mainland.

Martin Cable, station officer at Maldon Fire Station, said it is thought the tanker driver was reversing up to let someone pass him when he slid off the side.

"I would say it is a fairly easy thing to happen because the road is quite narrow there," he added.

Firefighters and members of a specialist emergency spillage team worked throughout the day to remove its cargo and take it away from the Causeway.

No-one was hurt in the incident and firefighters stayed throughout the day to oversee the operation.

"Farm workers had come along and tried to get the tanker upright using farm equipment but this didn't work so heavy tanker lifting equipment had to be brought in.

"It could have been much worse. Thankfully there was no leakage and we were able to get all the fuel off with no problems," said Mr Cable.

But the operation was slowed down by the tide when the lorry became submerged and work had to be postponed.

The lorry was finally lifted off the road at 9.30pm - 12 hours after the original accident. He said some damage to the road had been fixed immediately so residents could now use it again.

Julia Peel, leader of Maldon District Council, was at the scene. She said today it would have been a major disaster for the Blackwater if a spill had occurred and praised farm workers for offering their help and use of their machinery.

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