Military Helps Rescue Hundreds Of Stranded Motorists Across The Country

Picture: RAF personnel help free a Royal Mail lorry stuck in the snow (Credit: RAF) 

The military's been helping emergency services across the UK, as freezing conditions continue to cause major disruption.

Troops have been called in to help hospital staff get to work and to rescue stranded motorists trapped on roads by heavy snow and icy blasts.

Two police forces declared "major incidents" in response to the widespread disruption, turning to the military for help.

HAMPSHIRE

The military helped police rescue hundreds of motorists stranded by heavy snow on the A31 in Hampshire.

Police declared a "major incident" after the major route connecting Hampshire and Dorset through the New Forest became impassable in both directions.

Rest centres were set up for those stuck and food and drink brought to those unable to leave their vehicles.

Ryan Butler posted on Twitter: "You're all doing an amazing job... took me best part of 9 hours from Cadnam to Bournemouth but home safe and sound now. Thank you for all your hard work."

WILTSHIRE 

Wiltshire Council also announced a major incident in response to the tailback and urged people to avoid the area.

Thomas Hamilton, a 36-year-old sales director, was caught in the queue overnight, only moving for the first time this morning;

"A soldier got out in a hi-vis jacket with another good Samaritan and moved lorries".

MANCHESTER

Greater Manchester Police asked for support from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, after hundreds of drivers spent the night stuck on the M62, with police warning wind speeds had reached 90mph over the Rakewood Viaduct, between junctions 21 and 22.

Traffic came to halt at around 5.30pm. The snow stopped an hour later but the wind created chaos on the motorway, which led to vehicles becoming stuck.

At 6am it was reported that most cars and vans had been rescued and that only freight vehicles were left to help.

SOMERSET

Avon and Somerset Police drafted in Military support after it said it was dealing with up to 100 cars stranded in snow on the A303 at Ilminster and a further 20 on the A358 at Thornfalcon.

Snow fell rapidly in the area forming a deep and slippery layer impossible for motorists to tackle.

They issued this advice: If you become stranded, stay in your vehicle, call for assistance and wait for help to arrive.

Don’t abandon your vehicle as it can hamper the efforts of emergency services.

If you see a snow plough, please move out of the way to let it through.

MONMOUTHSHIRE

A large group of Royal Marines at Magor services near Newport in south-east Wales were spotted giving a lorry driver a helping push after becoming stuck in the snow.