Driver dies as two cars plunge from track into freezing waters

A MOTORIST died and three people were taken to hospital after two cars plunged from an icy track into the River Wye in Derbyshire.

The 42-year-old man was in a Toyota Aygo that came off a bridle bath close to the Monsal Trail, north of the A6, before toppling into the river near Buxton at about 8.30am yesterday.

Five minutes later a Toyota Rav4, containing a woman and a girl believed to be related to the occupants of the other car, also left the path and entered the water.

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Emergency services initially struggled to get to the scene because of the icy conditions and a Derbyshire County Council team had to be called in to grit the track.

A boy who was in the Aygo managed to escape to safety, while the 39-year-old woman who was driving the Rav4 and a girl passenger also managed to escape.

Local residents and a police officer entered the water to help rescue the Aygo driver, and he was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, but later died.

An investigation has been launched but Paul Hawker, station manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, one of the first on the scene, said the wintry weather appeared to be a contributing factor in the accident.

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The fatality brings the death toll during the recent cold snap to double figures, as forecasters predicted up to another foot of snow is on the way.

The Highlands of Scotland will see the heaviest snowfall, while up to six inches could fall in northern England, four inches in the Midlands and up to two inches in the South.

The Met Office said it had amber warnings in place for much of Scotland, the North and East of England and East and West Midlands, with yellow warnings in Wales, the South West and London and the South East.

It warned that strong winds will also lead to drifting and blizzard-like conditions, particularly over higher level roads in the North.

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The AA’s head of special operations Darron Burness said: “It looks likely that the current cold spell will go out with a bang.

“It’s difficult for forecasters to know the extent of the snowfall, so check the local weather and traffic reports before heading out and be prepared for possible disruption.”

Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre, added: “We have been working hard to keep motorways and major A-roads running throughout winter, and particularly over the last couple of weeks. With another flurry of snow expected, we ask people to remain alert and continue to take care when travelling.

“As always, we ask people to give our winter fleet the space they need to do their job and, during periods of particularly severe weather, to consider delaying their journeys until conditions improve.”

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Temperatures are expected to rise to up to 11C in the South on Sunday, while it is likely to reach 7C further north, but the end of the cold snap could bring with it further problems as the milder weather causes ice and snow to melt, raising the risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency has warned of minor localised flooding due to the rapid thaw.

Flood risk manager Phil Rothwell said: “A combination of rain and snow melt over the weekend will increase the risk of flooding, especially in south west England, Wales, the west Midlands and northern England. We are closely monitoring the situation.”

Bradford Council has already cancelled all football and rugby fixtures this weekend because of the weather, and officials in Leeds said all Leeds City Council-managed sports pitches will also be unavailable for use.

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In the South-West, police are investigating an incident in which a 10-year-old boy was injured when a motorist reacted angrily after his car was hit with a snowball. The victim and his friends were throwing snowballs in the Estover area of Plymouth on Tuesday when, Devon and Cornwall Police said, the driver got out of his car before punching the 10-year-old in the head.