POLICE are hunting for the driver of a lorry which spilled a chemical powder across a busy road on Monday afternoon.

Firefighters were forced to close off a stretch of Eastway, Fulwood, after a container of acid fell off the lorry and became lodged under the car behind.

The car driver, Victoria Barrett, 37, from Blackburn, was taken to hospital, where she was put in isolation as scientists battled to find out what the yellow powder was. Experts say it was 30 per cent strength, hydrochloric acid.

A police officer and two paramedics were taken to hospital with Mrs Barrett, an employee at LAWTEC on Caxton Road. They complained of itchy skin.

The busy road was shut for more than two hours, causing traffic chaos throughout the east of Preston.

Police are still looking for the driver of the van. He didn't stop after losing part of his load.

Sgt Robin Long, of Preston Police, revealed: "The incident had quite a large knock-on effect for the rest of the town.

"The woman driving the car behind was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where she was placed in isolation. Fortunately it wasn't too serious in this instance but we were prepared for the worst as we were dealing with an unknown chemical." He added: "We are very keen to talk to the driver because we want him to be aware of what happened.

"It had the potential to be a very nasty incident."

Fire crews reopened the road, after hosing down the surface and checking it had not been affected by the yellow chemical.

The lorry is described as a blue, flat-back vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to contact Preston Police on 203203.

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