Investigation launched after gas main damaged in crash

Police are hunting a driver who crashed a car into a wall sparking a gas leak. The emergency services  have cordoned off  Union Road in Ryde following the incident at 3am on Sunday night.  Approx  20 home have been evacuated by Police whilst the area is made safe. A spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police  say they are concerned the driver  who fled the scene  may have suffered injuries in the crash.  A hunt for the vehicle has been launched after  leaving a trial of damage and oil behind it as it made off from the scene. Residents from nearby homes were evacuated  as firefighters worked  to stem the leak before National Grid engineers arrived. Residents have been allowed to return to their properties with the leak having been made safe.