A pool of sticky molasses had to be cleared from the A361 near Tiverton last week after a lorry overturned and shed part of its sweet-smelling load.

The vehicle was carrying 28 tonnes of molasses, when it overturned on the left hand side of the road next to Bolham roundabout.

The accident occurred at around 3.50pm on Thursday at a time when local fire crews including those from Tiverton, Cullompton and South Molton had all been sent to tackle a large fire at range of thatched properties in Crediton, therefore fire crews from Taunton and Wellington in Somerset were drafted in to attend the scene of the accident.

Fortunately, only a small amount of the contents of the lorry had leaked out onto the road and the fire crew used special packs to prevent the flow of sticky black substance into the water course.

There was a strong sweet smell permeating the scene, which hung in the air as the clean-up took place.

Paul Slaven from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “The driver was in the vehicle but was not trapped, the windscreen was broken by the force of the accident but the driver was not injured, though he was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.”

Traffic police, the Environment Agency and South West Highways were also involved with the operation and, following advice from the agency, SWH called a specialist contractor to assist.

Glanville Environmental, which is based in West Devon but operates industrial cleaning crews across the South West, sent out a Taunton-based team which used a liquid suction lorry to clear up the pool of molasses, an ingredient widely used in the feeding of livestock.

Andrew Plumber, business manager at South West Highways, said the substance was biodegradable and furthermore the Environment Agency was “satisfied that none of the material breached the water course”.

The crew were on site until after midnight dealing with incident with the recovery of the vehicle also taking several hours.

The accident caused disruption to rush hour traffic that afternoon. with several drivers using the A361 facing significant delays.

The vehicle was registered to a Gwent-based haulage firm, PDS Bulk Liquid Haulage.

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