Cold snap to continue as heavy snow causes disruption

More than 1,000 schools closed in Yorkshire and more than 5,000 were shut across England as children enjoyed a day off 
classes.

Health services, as well as road, rail and air travellers, were hit by the wintry weather.

More than eight inches of snow was recorded in Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire, with the Pennines and North York Moors among areas worst affected.

A number of trans-Pennine routes were shut and there were a spate of minor accidents on the roads.

Routine non-emergency patient transport services were cancelled in most of the region yesterday.

Ambulance chiefs said 999 services had continued operating effectively despite extended journey times in outlying areas but warned further icy weather would lead to increase demand for emergency care.

The freezing weather is so far believed to have claimed the lives of two people.

Among them was a 25-year-old woman who died after collapsing in the snow after a night out in Kent. Police said they were treating the death of Bernadette Lee as a “tragic accident” after she was found next to her sister’s house, wearing no coat, early on Sunday.

The weather is thought to have claimed a second victim when a 59-year-old man from Colchester was killed after his car crashed into a tree in Essex on Sunday.

A teenager remains critically ill in hospital after being injured while sledging in Middlesbrough. Liam Stafford suffered head injuries when he fell off his toboggan at speed and hit a tree in Flatts Lane Country Park, Normanby.