This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/7812322.stm

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ice falls lead to hospital rush Schools close due to icy weather
(20 minutes later)
More than 140 people have been treated at one hospital in a single day, with many injuries due to falls on ice. Schools have closed and emergency services are braced for a busy day as freezing temperatures sweep across the country.
There was a large increase in the number of patients needing orthopaedic treatment, according to officials at Wrexham's Maelor hospital. Pupils in some schools in Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd and Denbighshire and Merthyr Tydfil are being told to stay at home for the day.
It comes as hospitals reported a rise in patients with ice-related injuries.
Over 140 people have been treated at Wrexham's Maelor hospital in a single day, with many injuries due to falls.
Officials there said they had seen a large increase in the number of patients needing orthopaedic treatment.
A surge in patients due to ice-related incidents was also seen in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.A surge in patients due to ice-related incidents was also seen in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Meanwhile, roads and schools across Wales have been affected as sub-zero temperatures sweep the UK.Meanwhile, roads and schools across Wales have been affected as sub-zero temperatures sweep the UK.
According to the Met Office, the severe conditions are set to continue for the next few days.According to the Met Office, the severe conditions are set to continue for the next few days.
The weather has already taken its toll in Wrexham, where 141 people have been treated since midnight on Monday. SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR 6 JANUARY Carmarthenshire: Queen Elizabeth High School, CarmarthenCeredigion: Lampeter ComprehensiveDenbighshire: Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and Rhos Street School, all Ruthin; Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd; Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh; Ysgol Pentrecelyn; Denbigh High School, Denbigh; Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh; St Brigids School, DenbighGwynedd: Ysgol Beddgelert, Ysgol Eifionydd, PorthmadogMerthyr Tydfil: Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr, closed to years 7, 8 and 9The weather has already taken its toll in Wrexham, where 141 people have been treated since midnight on Monday. SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR 6 JANUARY Carmarthenshire: Queen Elizabeth High School, CarmarthenCeredigion: Lampeter ComprehensiveDenbighshire: Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and Rhos Street School, all Ruthin; Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd; Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre, Denbigh; Ysgol Pentrecelyn; Denbigh High School, Denbigh; Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh; St Brigids School, DenbighGwynedd: Ysgol Beddgelert, Ysgol Eifionydd, PorthmadogMerthyr Tydfil: Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr, closed to years 7, 8 and 9
Elsewhere, Prince Philip hospital in Llanelli, West Wales General in Carmarthen, Withybush in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and Bronglais hospitals in Aberystwyth also witnessed an increase in patients.Elsewhere, Prince Philip hospital in Llanelli, West Wales General in Carmarthen, Withybush in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and Bronglais hospitals in Aberystwyth also witnessed an increase in patients.
Meanwhile, Rhondda Cynon Taf council closed Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads at 2200 GMT on Monday.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is responsible for the Rhondda's highways and customer care, said: "All reports received so far predict we are in for a spell of extremely cold weather, which is expected to last for at least two days.
"We have worked to assess the impact of the conditions on the county's roads, as we always do and cannot be confident that, despite the best efforts of our staff, the mountain roads will be safe to use."
In Denbighshire, the county council has warned in advance a number of schools will be closed on Tuesday, with four of those in Ruthin.In Denbighshire, the county council has warned in advance a number of schools will be closed on Tuesday, with four of those in Ruthin.
Two schools in Gwynedd and one in Ceredigion will also shut, while a school in Merthyr Tydfil will partly close because of a heating problem.Two schools in Gwynedd and one in Ceredigion will also shut, while a school in Merthyr Tydfil will partly close because of a heating problem.
Meanwhile, Rhondda Cynon Taf council closed Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads at 2200 GMT on Monday.
Head teachers in Ruthin, held site meetings with Denbighshire council's health and safety team on Monday and decided to close Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and and Rhos Street School.Head teachers in Ruthin, held site meetings with Denbighshire council's health and safety team on Monday and decided to close Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Pen Barras, Ysgol Borthyn and and Rhos Street School.
Both the playgrounds and car parks at the schools were said to be covered in ice, despite having been gritted.Both the playgrounds and car parks at the schools were said to be covered in ice, despite having been gritted.
Denbighshire council's corporate director of environment Iwan Prys-Jones said: "The temperature tonight [Monday] is anticipated to drop below freezing again and I would urge people to take extra precautions in any un-gritted areas and allow extra time for any journeys they may need to make."Denbighshire council's corporate director of environment Iwan Prys-Jones said: "The temperature tonight [Monday] is anticipated to drop below freezing again and I would urge people to take extra precautions in any un-gritted areas and allow extra time for any journeys they may need to make."
Gritters will be in operation across Wales on Monday nightGritters will be in operation across Wales on Monday night
The other schools set to shut in Denbighshire on Tuesday are Denbigh High School, Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre in Denbigh, Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Ysgol Pentrecelyn, St Brigids School and Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh.The other schools set to shut in Denbighshire on Tuesday are Denbigh High School, Ysgol Gwaenynog and Ysgol Heulfre in Denbigh, Ysgol Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Ysgol Pentrecelyn, St Brigids School and Ysgol Henllan, near Denbigh.
In Ceredigion, the council said Lampeter Comprehensive School would not open on Tuesday.In Ceredigion, the council said Lampeter Comprehensive School would not open on Tuesday.
In neighbouring Powys three schools at Rhayader, Dolfor, near Newtown and Crossgates, near Llandrindod Wells, closed on Monday because of a burst pipe and heating failures. All three were expected to reopen on Tuesday.In neighbouring Powys three schools at Rhayader, Dolfor, near Newtown and Crossgates, near Llandrindod Wells, closed on Monday because of a burst pipe and heating failures. All three were expected to reopen on Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen will not open on Tuesday, the local authority said.Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen will not open on Tuesday, the local authority said.
In Gwynedd Ysgol Beddgelert and Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog, will also close.In Gwynedd Ysgol Beddgelert and Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog, will also close.
On the roads, severe weather warnings have forced Rhondda Cynon Taf council to close the Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads from 2200 GMT on Monday.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is responsible for the Rhondda's highways and customer care, said: "All reports received so far predict we are in for a spell of extremely cold weather, which is expected to last for at least two days.
"We have worked to assess the impact of the conditions on the county's roads, as we always do and cannot be confident that, despite the best efforts of our staff, the mountain roads will be safe to use."