New Castletown Road from Santon to Blackboards has reopened following this morning's car crash and major oil spill.

Police said two casualties were trapped in a hatchback involved in a two-vehicle collision at Blackboards.

They have now been relased from the car and have been treated for minor injuries.

The vehicle was said to be stuck against trees and emergency services were working to prevent it slipping down a bank.

There are also reports of a large diesel spill in the area which the police have 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.

At just after 11.50am, police spokesman confirmed that the New Castletown Road has reopened after the clean-up operation was completed.

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

The police have since shared a picture of the car, showing it was travelling north towards Fairy Bridge and crashed just after the railway bridge.

The cause of the diesel spillage has been traced to a tipper wagon.

A police spokesman said: 'We will be speaking to the driver and if apprpriate, 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.'