London, Jan 6 (Inditop.com) Armed forces were called in to help stranded motorists and authorities urged people to stay at home as snow and sub-zero temperatures Wednesday forced the closure of airports and railway stations in Britain’s worst cold snap in 30 years.
At least nine people have died in weather-related accidents since the closing days of 2009, even before the start of the fresh cold snap, with temperatures dipping to minus 15 degrees Celsius in places.
Weather forecasters warned of further “very heavy snowfall” in southwest and southeast England and London, with up to a foot of snow possible.
Military and fire service personnel were called in to help police reach motorists who were caught in blockages in southeast England.
Many of those stuck were evacuated to rescue centres while others spent the night in their vehicles as 20 to 30 cm of snow fell in the southern parts of the country.
Five airports, including Gatwick and Stanstead serving London, were closed because of snow and ice. Regional airports in Bristol, Blackpool, and Exeter were also closed.
But children had a field day, with more than 1,000 schools closed because of the heavy snowfall.
