Driver hurt as crash blamed on diesel spill

THE amazing moment when Chronicle photographer ANTHONY MILLER captured the accident

THIS was the moment a Ford Focus skidded on a large diesel spill and ploughed into a road sign.

Chronicle photographer Anthony Miller captured the dramatic smash on Chadderton Way, at the Elk Mill roundabout, only minutes after he had reported the slick to the police.

The woman driver suffered a suspected broken arm and was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital by ambulance.

Police said the diesel had leaked from an Oldham Council street lighting vehicle and had been reported by staff.

It is unclear when this happened, although a council team was said to have been on the way to cover the spill with sand.

A road sign was demolished in the crash, which happened at around 10.30am on Friday.

Mr Miller said: “As I came towards Oldham I skidded. I could see the cars behind me skidding as well. You could smell the diesel. I pulled up and phoned the police to tell them there had been a spill and there would be a crash.”

The accident happened about two minutes later and he added: “The driver got out shouting in agony. It could have been much worse. If a motorcyclist had hit it he would have been thrown off.”

Oldham Council failed to comment on the incident.