Double decker overturns in freezing conditions sparking major incident
The crash involved a double decker bus and a motorbike.
A major incident has been declared after a double-decker bus overturned amid icy conditions in Somerset.
It comes as drivers were warned ‘only to travel if necessary’ today.
The crash, which took place at 6am, involved a double decker bus and a motorbike.
Avon and Somerset Police say a ‘significant number of police, fire and ambulance units are on the scene and a major incident has been declared.’
In a tweet, the force added: ‘The A39 Quantock Road, in Bridgwater, has been closed due to an overturned double-decker bus.
‘Officers were called at around 6am today (Tuesday 17 January) following the road-related incident. Emergency services are at the scene.’
According to Sky News, the bus was taking workers to the nearby Hinckley Point C nuclear power station.
Avon and Somerset Police received more the 100 reports of road-related incidents in a matter of hours last night, with most caused by ‘treacherous driving conditions’.
Some 53 crashes were reported between 6pm and 11pm. Seven resulted in injuries but they are not thought to be serious. A further 67 calls were received for other road-related incidents.
On Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a level three cold alert in response to ‘severe winter weather’.
The Met Office has said all of England will continue to experience cold weather until 9am on Friday.
Forecasters issued a yellow warning for ice across southern England which is in place until 10am on Tuesday morning, with ice likely to cause difficult driving conditions.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place in Cornwall and Devon until 10am.
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