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Drivers stranded as storms hit UK Drivers stranded as storms hit UK
(about 1 hour later)
High winds and heavy snowfall have been affecting much of the UK, stranding some motorists and blacking out homes.High winds and heavy snowfall have been affecting much of the UK, stranding some motorists and blacking out homes.
Durham police helped lead dozens of people to safety after 200 motorists were stranded by snow on the A66. Dozens were led to safety after 200 drivers were stranded by snow on the A66 in Cumbria. And nearly 7,000 homes are without power in Yorks and Lincs.
RAF helicopters are attempting to airlift to safety the captain of a cargo ship who was seriously injured off the Isles of Scilly during a gale. A bid to airlift to safety a cargo ship captain seriously injured off the Isles of Scilly during a gale has been abandoned because it is too dangerous.
The weather has also left nearly 7,000 homes without power across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The man will instead to transferred to hospital when his ship reaches Cork.
Earlier crew and passengers had to be rescued from two ships - one off the coast of Blackpool and one on St Kilda.Earlier crew and passengers had to be rescued from two ships - one off the coast of Blackpool and one on St Kilda.
Blizzards have affected much of Scotland and northern England, with snow recorded as deep as 15cm (5.9in) in some parts.Blizzards have affected much of Scotland and northern England, with snow recorded as deep as 15cm (5.9in) in some parts.
Freak waveFreak wave
A coach carrying 40 pensioners was among the vehicles stranded on the A66, Neil Sterio of the Highways Agency told BBC News 24.A coach carrying 40 pensioners was among the vehicles stranded on the A66, Neil Sterio of the Highways Agency told BBC News 24.
Emergency services have been taking rescued motorists to a hall and a pub in the village of Bowes, County Durham.Emergency services have been taking rescued motorists to a hall and a pub in the village of Bowes, County Durham.
The only motorists who remain stuck on the roads are an estimated 25 to 30 lorry drivers.The only motorists who remain stuck on the roads are an estimated 25 to 30 lorry drivers.
Ch Insp Graham Rankin said: "Police and volunteers are trying to make sure that vulnerable people are kept warm and fed and watered."Ch Insp Graham Rankin said: "Police and volunteers are trying to make sure that vulnerable people are kept warm and fed and watered."
Robert Campbell, 32, from Penicuik, Midlothian, is a passenger in one lorry stuck on the road.Robert Campbell, 32, from Penicuik, Midlothian, is a passenger in one lorry stuck on the road.
Operation to float ferryUK weather in picturesOperation to float ferryUK weather in pictures
He told the BBC News website: "The snowdrifts cover my boots when I go outside. They seem to have got the cars off the road, but the lorries are still stranded."He told the BBC News website: "The snowdrifts cover my boots when I go outside. They seem to have got the cars off the road, but the lorries are still stranded."
Lorry driver Bob Skeldon has also been held up on the A66 since 1145 GMT.Lorry driver Bob Skeldon has also been held up on the A66 since 1145 GMT.
He said: "It's no longer snowing but there is still a heavy gale outside. It's not much fun being stuck here but they seem to be getting us out now."He said: "It's no longer snowing but there is still a heavy gale outside. It's not much fun being stuck here but they seem to be getting us out now."
High winds have caused several accidents across the country and two filling stations in Cumbria have had parts of their roofs blown off.High winds have caused several accidents across the country and two filling stations in Cumbria have had parts of their roofs blown off.
RAF helicopters are attempting to airlift the skipper of the Horn Cliff cargo vessel after he suffered a spinal injury in a storm off the Isles of Scilly, Falmouth Coastguard said. Airlift abandoned
Airlift attempt RAF helicopters spent nearly an hour fighting force nine winds over the Horncliff cargo vessel in an attempt to airlift the skipper after he suffered spinal and internal injuries in a storm off the Isles of Scilly, Falmouth Coastguard said.
One passenger on board suffered a broken hand and another sustained head injuries, but a spokesman said neither was seriously injured. But with the vessel moving around so much in the high seas, crews decided it was safer for the captain to remain where he is.
The ship lost about 90 containers but is not thought to be in danger of sinking. It is thought he may not reach hospital until Saturday lunchtime.
The spokesman added that there were 31 passengers on board, and the helicopter from RAF Chivenor in Devon hoped to take seven of them. One passenger on board suffered a broken hand and another sustained head injuries but a spokesman said neither was seriously injured.
Peter Bullard of Falmouth Coastguard said of the captain: "By the nature of his injuries it looks like he's been thrown by the terrible weather." The ship lost about 90 containers containing bananas and other fruit but is not thought to be in danger of sinking.
It is thought those injured were trying to fasten the containers in the storm.
Earlier the coastguard spokesman said the vessel had 31 passengers, of which it was hoped seven would be rescued by the RAF helicopter.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across the UK with the exception of south-east England.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across the UK with the exception of south-east England.
Adverse weather has left almost 3,000 homes in North Yorkshire and some 2,500 homes in East Yorkshire without power.Adverse weather has left almost 3,000 homes in North Yorkshire and some 2,500 homes in East Yorkshire without power.
A further 1,300 have also been affected in northern Lincolnshire. CE Electrics say they are currently unsure when power will be restored.A further 1,300 have also been affected in northern Lincolnshire. CE Electrics say they are currently unsure when power will be restored.
The trawler hit rocks on the St Kilda islands, one of the remotest parts of Britain The coastguardThe trawler hit rocks on the St Kilda islands, one of the remotest parts of Britain The coastguard
Earlier, rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from the Riverdance freight ferry, which had been beached by a freak wave at Cleveleys, near Blackpool, Lancashire, on Thursday night.Earlier, rescuers airlifted 23 passengers and crew from the Riverdance freight ferry, which had been beached by a freak wave at Cleveleys, near Blackpool, Lancashire, on Thursday night.
The freight vessel, which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint, County Down, to the port of Heysham, Lancashire, began listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the coast.The freight vessel, which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint, County Down, to the port of Heysham, Lancashire, began listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the coast.
It is being closely monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. The ferry is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.It is being closely monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. The ferry is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.
One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.
"Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was.""Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was."
Environment fearsEnvironment fears
In a separate incident, a helicopter winched 14 people to safety from a stricken trawler off St Kilda.In a separate incident, a helicopter winched 14 people to safety from a stricken trawler off St Kilda.
The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of force nine winds.They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of force nine winds.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident amid fears the trawler could pose an environmental risk to the archipelago, which is a twice-listed World Heritage Site.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident amid fears the trawler could pose an environmental risk to the archipelago, which is a twice-listed World Heritage Site.
Jamie Ralston, the rescue centre co-ordinator at Stornoway Coastguard, told the BBC: "Our main concern ... if the vessel does break up, there was 8,000 litres of fuel oil and 450 litres of lube oil on board the vessel, is what damage that might do to the surrounding coastline and wildlife."Jamie Ralston, the rescue centre co-ordinator at Stornoway Coastguard, told the BBC: "Our main concern ... if the vessel does break up, there was 8,000 litres of fuel oil and 450 litres of lube oil on board the vessel, is what damage that might do to the surrounding coastline and wildlife."
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