A major oil spill has been linked to a dramatic car crash - and the closure of the main road to the south of the island.

Two casualties were trapped in a hatchback involved in a two-vehicle collision at Blackboards yesterday morning (Wednesday).

They were treated for minor injuries after being released from the vehicle which had been in danger of slipping down a bank.

There were also reports of a large diesel spill which the police said ran from the Cooil roundabout in Douglas through to the Balthane industrial estate in Ballasalla.

Police advised motorists to avoid the area and warned of delays on the alternative St Mark’s road.

Buses were diverted at Fort North roundabout via Braaid and St Mark’s to Orrisdale Road, Ballasalla.

Two hours after the incident, the New Castletown Road reopened following the completion of a clean-up operation by Department of Infrastructure workers.

The diesel spillage was traced to a tipper wagon.

A police spokesman said: ’We will be speaking to the driver and if appropriate, looking at any offences.’

Castletown firefighters attended the collision.

A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service said the road had been very slippery due to the oil spill.

He said: ’One of the vehicles came to rest in a precarious position so the crew used a large mechanical winch to tow it back onto the carriageway.

’The occupants were then transferred to our paramedics colleagues who were treating them for minor injuries.’