Britain: No casualties in bus accident in Somerset – Warning for snow and ice on roads

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26 of 71 passengers on double-decker bus taken to hospital – Incident attributed to slippery road surface due to ice

London, Thanasis Gavos

In 54 of the 71 occupants of the double-decker bus where overturned in the morning at Somerset, SW England first aid had to be provided by the ambulance crews who rushed to the scene, the local police announced.

Of these, 26 were judged to need to be taken to hospital, but with their injuries not causing concern. However, a local member of parliament stated that three of those hospitalized have “significant injuries”.

Police confirmed it was initially declared a “major incident” due to the large number of people on board the vehicle, who were workers at the Hinckley Point C nuclear power station under construction.

However, the emergency mobilization of the authorities has ended since the worst was over.

The incident is being blamed on icy roads, with the Met Office putting in place a yellow warning for “extremely dangerous” conditions until the end of the week due to a new cold snap across the UK.

Snow and frost are already causing travel problems in several parts of the country, while some local authorities in Scotland and Wales decided to keep schools closed on Tuesday due to heavy overnight snow. Inverness airport in Scotland is also closed.

The authorities are also warning of the risk of power outages, as well as problems with rail connections due to the snow expected in the coming days. On Monday night, 53 vehicle collisions and another 67 traffic incidents were reported, seven of which resulted in injuries.

In northern Scotland, snow during Tuesday is expected to reach 15cm.

The mercury fell to -9.8C in Yorkshire, NE England on Monday night, and is expected to drop to -11 in the coming days.

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