Nine people were taken to hospital today after a major chemical spill following a lorry crash on the A34, near Oxford.

The accident closed the road in both directions, causing major delays for rush-hour drivers while emergency services dealt with hundreds of litres of highly corrosive chemicals. Four people were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with chemical skin burns, including one who suffered minor injuries in the collision.

Five police officers were also treated for the effects of inhaling the dangerous fumes. Fire crews wearing chemical protection suits helped hose down the casualties' hands and feet to prevent further contamination inside the hospital.

Shortly after 3.30am, an articulated tanker lorry travelling south between Bletchingdon and Kidlington was in collision with a road maintenance lorry.

The crash caused 400 litres of various chemicals -- including isobutane, an extremely flammable and irritant substance used as a solvent and a propellant fuel additive -- to leak across the southbound carriageway.

Five fire crews from Kidlington, Bicester and Rewley Road, Oxford, attended, along with the service's environmental protection unit. Firefighters at the scene also used breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the toxic fumes.

Officers from Thames Water and the Environment Agency helped assess the spillage. They also helped the fire service contain it and ensure its potentially damaging effects were kept to a minimum.

Fire chiefs also took advice from the National Chemical Emergency Centre at Culham Laboratory near Abingdon.

The shortage of local watercourses and streams in the immediate area is believed to have limited the risk of serious environment pollution. Both carriageways of the A34 remained closed between Kidlington and the Pear Tree Interchange throughout this morning's rush hour and the southbound lane were likely to remain closed throughout the morning. Drivers were diverted along the old Bicester Road.

Acting Divisional Officer Dave Etheridge, based at Kidlington Fire HQ, said: "This was a real example where the various agencies worked closely together to make sure the effect on people was minimised.

"We are very fortunate in Oxfordshire having the Chemical Emergency Centre on our doorstep. It was particularly useful is this situation."