Part of the Oxford bypass was blocked while firefighters mopped up spilled petrol following a collision between a mini-bus and a car.

The accident, between the Kennington and Heyford Hill roundabouts yesterday, left three people needing hospital treatment.

The southbound carriageway was blocked while the fire service cleared petrol from the road.

Station officer Mark Griffin, of Rewley Road fire station, said: "It was potentially dangerous. It's not unusual in a road traffic accident to have some form of spillage - generally it's coolant or engine oil."

The mini-bus was not carrying any passengers when the accident happened.

Emergency services were called out at 2.26pm and the road was closed for about half an hour.

Three people were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with minor injuries.