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Motorists rescued from heavy snow Motorists rescued from heavy snow
(40 minutes later)
About 150 people have been taken to rescue centres in Devon after spending several hours stranded in their vehicles in heavy snow.About 150 people have been taken to rescue centres in Devon after spending several hours stranded in their vehicles in heavy snow.
Emergency crews were called to the A38 at Haldon Hill, near Exeter, at about 2100 GMT after drivers were caught out when the weather deteriorated suddenly.Emergency crews were called to the A38 at Haldon Hill, near Exeter, at about 2100 GMT after drivers were caught out when the weather deteriorated suddenly.
Some drivers remain trapped while others have abandoned their cars and walked to nearby hotels.Some drivers remain trapped while others have abandoned their cars and walked to nearby hotels.
More snow is forecast for many parts of the UK, threatening further disruption.More snow is forecast for many parts of the UK, threatening further disruption.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the A38 was closed shortly after 2100 GMT on Thursday, but was unlikely to open much before 0800 GMT because of the "dozens" of abandoned vehicles. A few miles west of the Haldon Hill incident, near Tavistock, the Army was called in to pick up about 60 people stuck on the A386.
Some motorists also got into difficulty on the A380.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the A38 was closed shortly after 2100 GMT on Thursday, but was unlikely to open much before 0800 GMT because of the "dozens" of vehicles that had been abandoned.
Towed awayTowed away
Cars are gradually being towed away and waiting motorists are being given hot drinks. Lorries are being left on the road because it is too difficult to move them in the current conditions.Cars are gradually being towed away and waiting motorists are being given hot drinks. Lorries are being left on the road because it is too difficult to move them in the current conditions.
At 0400 GMT, the Highways Agency said all cars on the northbound A38 had been removed, but efforts were continuing to clear snow from the southbound carriageway so traffic on that side could be moved. At 0400 GMT, the Highways Agency said all cars on the northbound A38 had been removed, but efforts were continuing to clear snow from the southbound carriageway so traffic on that side could be moved.Some motorists abandoned their cars and walked to nearby hotels
Police spokesman Alan Mobbs told Sky News that those still stranded were being advised to stay in their cars until officers reached them.Some motorists abandoned their cars and walked to nearby hotels Police spokesman Alan Mobbs said every available four-wheel drive vehicle was being used to reach stranded drivers.
"We will get to them," he said. "People are very cold and quite wet," he said.
"We are being hampered by the weather. We are working flat out to see how quickly we can resolve this, but it's likely to take a couple of hours at least. "Anyone who has been rescued was very, very pleased to see us, and they are being taken to the reception centres."
"Every available [four-wheel drive] vehicle has gone down to assist." Mr Mobbs said there was up to 12 inches (30cm) of snow on the roads affected and people were being advised to stay in their cars until police reached them.
Police have set up an emergency relief centre for those affected at Exeter Race Course, which is at the top of Haldon Hill.Police have set up an emergency relief centre for those affected at Exeter Race Course, which is at the top of Haldon Hill.
People have also been taken to the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh for the night. People have also been taken to the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh.
Devon and Somerset Fire Brigade called the situation "a major incident".Devon and Somerset Fire Brigade called the situation "a major incident".
The civilian Dartmoor Rescue Group was also scrambled.The civilian Dartmoor Rescue Group was also scrambled.
Phil Hayter, secretary of the group, told the BBC that teams from Ashburton and Plymouth had gone to help. Phil Hayter, secretary of the group, said that teams from Ashburton and Plymouth had gone to help.
One driver Nicky Micklewhite told the BBC: "We started to come up the hill. The cars just skidded all over the place."One driver Nicky Micklewhite told the BBC: "We started to come up the hill. The cars just skidded all over the place."
There were also problems for drivers on the nearby A380 and the Army was called in to pick up about 60 people stuck on the A386 near Tavistock.
The M5 southbound in the Exeter area was closed to keep motorists away from the rescue area.The M5 southbound in the Exeter area was closed to keep motorists away from the rescue area.
Gwyn Drake, from the Highways Agency, said there was nothing anyone could have done to have prevented the incident.
"You can't legislate for every set of occurrences... so part of our function then is to react to what we do find occurring, and I think that reaction has been quite good in the circumstances." Police told motorists to stay in their cars until help arrived
Police said no-one had been seriously hurt in the incident, although a couple of people did need insulin.
'Special offers''Special offers'
Receptionist Sue Rolfe abandoned her car on the A38 and walked to The Exeter Court hotel where she works.Receptionist Sue Rolfe abandoned her car on the A38 and walked to The Exeter Court hotel where she works.
She said it was rapidly filling up with stranded motorists. She said it had filled up rapidly with stranded motorists.
"We've got everyone walking in off the street," she said. "We're doing special offers for people stuck in it.""We've got everyone walking in off the street," she said. "We're doing special offers for people stuck in it."
Councillor Colin Gibbs, who lives close to the A38, said he had been trying to help those stranded and had taken some people back to the village pub.Police told motorists to stay in their cars until help arrived Councillor Colin Gibbs, who lives close to the A38, said he had been trying to help those stranded and had taken some people back to the village pub.
"We've actually just been up to rescue somebody... we've got them back here to the Nobody Inn in Doddiscombe Lee now and they're getting warmed up by the fire.""We've actually just been up to rescue somebody... we've got them back here to the Nobody Inn in Doddiscombe Lee now and they're getting warmed up by the fire."
Another motorist called Jamie told BBC Radio 5 Live he had been stuck for more than an hour and a half and his car had been damaged by a snow plough.Another motorist called Jamie told BBC Radio 5 Live he had been stuck for more than an hour and a half and his car had been damaged by a snow plough.
"I don't really know what's going to happen because I've got about half a tank of petrol left," he said."I don't really know what's going to happen because I've got about half a tank of petrol left," he said.
"Once that runs out I'm not sure what my next move is. I'm not really sure where the nearest service station is.""Once that runs out I'm not sure what my next move is. I'm not really sure where the nearest service station is."
Right across the UK, severe weather warnings are in place and two walkers have died in freezing conditions in the Lake District.Right across the UK, severe weather warnings are in place and two walkers have died in freezing conditions in the Lake District.
The Met Office is warning that high ground in the West Country could see up to 12in (30cm) of snow overnight. The Met Office is warning that high ground in the West Country could see up to 12in (30cm). KEY LINKS class="" href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/index.html">National Rail Enquiries class="" href="http://www.baa.com/">BAA class="" href="http://www.highways.gov.uk/">Highways Agency class="" href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">Met Office
Services disrupted Some councils say they are running out of road salt and the AA warned shortages have created a "road safety crisis".
Councils also say they are running out of road salt and the AA warned shortages have created a "road safety crisis".
BBC weather forecasters are warning that similar quantities of snow as those seen on Monday could fall on London and parts of southern England and south-east Wales on Friday.BBC weather forecasters are warning that similar quantities of snow as those seen on Monday could fall on London and parts of southern England and south-east Wales on Friday.
Snowfall is expected from Essex through Cambridgeshire and the West Midlands as far as Dorset in the west, with at least a couple of inches expected.Snowfall is expected from Essex through Cambridgeshire and the West Midlands as far as Dorset in the west, with at least a couple of inches expected.
In the south east, snow is expected to remain until Saturday. KEY LINKS class="" href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/index.html">National Rail Enquiries class="" href="http://www.baa.com/">BAA class="" href="http://www.highways.gov.uk/">Highways Agency class="" href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">Met Office In the south east, snow is expected to remain until Saturday.
The area to the north and west of London and along the M4 corridor is most at risk, with a forecast of eight inches (20cm) of snow.The area to the north and west of London and along the M4 corridor is most at risk, with a forecast of eight inches (20cm) of snow.
The Met Office warned severe snow was likely on high ground in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Plymouth, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.The Met Office warned severe snow was likely on high ground in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Plymouth, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.
At about 0400 GMT, the National Rail Enquiries website detailed disruption to services on a number of rail routes on Friday.At about 0400 GMT, the National Rail Enquiries website detailed disruption to services on a number of rail routes on Friday.
Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, London Midland, National Express East Anglia, Scotrail, Stansted Express and Virgin Trains are all subject to cancellations and alterations.Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, London Midland, National Express East Anglia, Scotrail, Stansted Express and Virgin Trains are all subject to cancellations and alterations.
Airports operator BAA is warning travellers to allow extra time for their journey to the airport in case of adverse weather.Airports operator BAA is warning travellers to allow extra time for their journey to the airport in case of adverse weather.
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