Lorry glue spill closes M25

The accident occurred just after 1345 GMT on Tuesday on the anti-clockwise carriage of the motorway, between junctions seven and six near Godstone, Surrey, forcing the closure of the carriageway.

The Dutch-registered lorry rolled down the embankment, trapping its driver and leaking its cargo on to the road.

The Dutch driver was cut free and there is a search to see if there was a co-driver.

" We are unable to confirm yet if there is a second driver "
Surrey Ambulance spokesman

He was taken to East Surrey Hospital with head and leg injuries.

Surrey Police believe there may have been a second driver and have been using a helicopter with thermal imaging equipment to try to trace him.

A spokesman from Surrey Ambulance NHS Trust said: "We don't know if there's a language barrier, but the person who was trapped kept pointing to something.

"We are unable to confirm yet if there is a second driver."

Decontamination measures

The spokesman said two more people had been taken to hospital with minor injuries, one suffering from inhalation of the chemical and the other with the substance on their hands.

Firefighters and Surrey Police were still at the scene at 1645 GMT as they tried to right the lorry with a crane.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Fire and Rescue said the clean-up operation was expected to carry on into Tuesday evening.

The glue-based substance, which has not yet been identified, is believed to be of low toxicity and non-flammable - but emergency workers will need to undergo decontamination.