FIRE crews were called to a road traffic collision involving a van on the A386 between Winswell and Merton on Monday morning.

Two crews from Hatherleigh and Torrington attended the incident at 7.50am in which the van involved contained caustic soda, which had the potential to leak upon righting the vehicle.

The crews, along with an additional hazardous materials officer, made an attempt to enter the back of the vehicle using hydraulic cutting equipment and one hose reel jet. The driver of the van was already on route to the hospital.

At 10.15am, crews were using breathing apparatus to investigate the chemicals in the rear of the van. At 10.50am, the vehicle was made safe.