A12 reopens after driver killed in tanker crash

A man in his 50s died following the incident at the A12 Copdock Interchange

A dual carriageway has reopened after a driver died when his fuel tanker overturned.

Suffolk Police as well as ambulance and fire crews were called to the Copdock Interchange near Ipswich just after 04:30 BST on Sunday.

The driver of the tanker, a man in his 50s, died at the scene prompting a road closure which was lifted at 04:42 on Monday.

Supt Jonathan Chapman described the incident as "tragic".

The road was closed for about 24 hours while the emergency services dealt with the incident

Supt Chapman said: "We had concerns that fuel was leaking underneath the tanker, both as a fire risk as well as environmental impact, and risk assessments and safety measures were carried out, with contingency plans also made with our partners."

He said specialist equipment was used at about 15:00 on Sunday to decant the fuel and remove it.

He thanked drivers and the public for being patient.

The incident happened where the A12 meets the A14 with the road closed between junction 32b for Capel St Mary and the Copdock Interchange

A diversion was put in place and a major incident was declared by the emergency services.

According to police, the tanker was carrying more than 38,000 litres (8,358 gallons) of fuel.

Any witnesses or anyone with information was urged to contact the force.