A FARMER had a miraculous escape after his tractor - which was carrying a load of sulphuric acid - overturned on a busy dual carriageway.

The tractor, which was carrying machinery holding 400 litres of acid, was in collision with a car that was trying to overtake it.

The tractor landed in vegetation by the side of the A64 close to the Grimston Bar roundabout, in York, at about 7.30pm yesterday.

Police said the farmer crawled quickly out of the cab without a scratch or bruise.

PC Chris Redin said: "We're thanking our lucky stars it was not worse than it was."

Although the car driver left the scene, he was later spoken to by police officers.

The fire service sent a heavy rescue tender with large cutting equipment, a salvage and chemical unit and four fire crews to the scene.

Firefighters dealt with a small spillage of sulphuric acid, which had leaked on to the soil.

Station manager Mal Austwick said firefighters had been on standby for most of the incident.

"Because it was a hazardous chemicals incident as well as a road traffic accident, we also had to have a hazardous materials officer to give specialist advice.

"The sulphuric acid leaked on to the soil where it was neutralised. If it had spilled on to the Tarmac it would have been a problem as it would react.

"We also had large cutting equipment in case the farmer needed to be cut out, but he walked straight out of it - he had a very lucky escape."

PC Redin said the tractor had been travelling eastbound when it was in collision with a car which was overtaking it.

"The car didn't remain at the scene, although we have now traced and spoken to the driver," he said.

"This has been quite a major incident in as much as it is a hazardous chemicals incident. We've had to follow force protocol and get hazardous chemicals officers to the scene."

The carriageway was reduced to one lane for more than an hour and closed while the tractor was recovered. Witnesses should phone PC Ken England on 0845 606 0247.

Updated: 09:30 Thursday, October 13, 2005