A Canberra driver remaind in a

serious condition in hospital last

night after a smash on the Barton

Highway at Murrumbateman

yesterday morning.

The 51-year-old became trapped in

his vehicle after it and a tanker

carrying chemicals collided head-on

about 7.40am near McIntosh Circuit.

Emergency workers had to cut the

injured man free from his 4WD after

he had been trapped for nearly an

hour.

He was taken to Canberra Hospital

with serious head and leg injuries.

Authorities initially feared the

truck had spilled its load of chemicals

and that the highway would have to

be closed until at least 7pm.

But emergency services opened the

highway again about 11am.