Cars chaos in oil spill

A mystery spillage of diesel oil caused chaos in Kidderminster today after several cars crashed after skidding along the road.

At least eight cars were involved in accidents as they came off the Worcester Road island.

Some crashed into each other while others skidded onto grass embankments, causing tailbacks of more than half a mile from 7.30am.

Some drivers who narrowly avoided colliding were left shaken by the experience.

Mel Beard, aged 43, of John Beard Tools & Ironmongery in Bridge Street, said: "It was frightening. I was travelling to work and had just come round the island and turned left to travel down New Road when I just lost control of the vehicle.

"I thought I was going to end up down the bank."

One motorist, who did not want to be named, said: "It really was terrifying.

"Fortunately I managed to avoid the cars strewn across the carriageway and up the bank. It was just like being on a skid pan with no control of the car.

"No-one appeared to have been injured but how people escaped injury is a miracle."

Mr Beard managed to avoid a collision and minutes later stopped to alert police.

They called in a team of workers from Wyre Forest District Council to clear the spillage. The road had to be closed off to make it safe but was open again by 9am.

Julia Jones, West Mercia Police spokeswoman, said: "The spillage led to some motorists losing control of their cars but fortunately there was no serious damage to vehicles and no injuries reported. The problem was caused by a diesel spillage but we do not know how that occurred."