People were evacuated from their homes after diesel oozed from an oil tanker which overturned on the outskirts of Newbuildings on Friday.

By Eamonn Houston eamonn@derrynews.net

The tanker lorry overturned on a stretch of the Victoria Road linking Newbuildings and Magheramason at around 6.30am.

Morning traffic chaos ensued after the road was closed with diversions along the Duncastle Road.

Fire fighters were quickly on the scene to erect foam barriers around the spill area. Families were then evacuated as a safety precaution.

The fire service monitored the scene but voiced “major concern” for the surrounding environment and nearby River Foyle.

Mark Darrell, of the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our major concern is for the environment and for the Foyle, which is so close.
“At the moment we have a foam blanket applied around the tanker to reduce the risk of sparks or anything like that.
“We’ve evacuated the houses in close proximity that would be in danger, but at the moment we’re still monitoring the situation.”
The Victoria Road remained closed to traffic until the late afternoon.