Two die in crash in icy conditions

Dec 23 2009

Two women died and another 47 people were injured after a coach overturned in treacherous icy conditions during what was one of the coldest nights of the year.

The vehicle, which was carrying 48 passengers and a driver back from a trip to see a Christmas lights attraction, left the road and ended up on its side on Tuesday night near Penzance in Cornwall, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The force said road surfaces were "treacherous" in the area of the crash - which was near the town of Hayle - and have not ruled out the conditions as being a contributory factor.

A rescue helicopter was called in from RAF Chivenor in Devon to help ferry the wounded people to hospital in Truro.

One of two victims - who were both from the west Cornwall area - was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died in hospital.

The crash came as the wintry weather continued for another day, with temperatures plunging as low as -10C in southern England and even -16C in the central Highlands, prompting widespread icy road warnings and more travel disruption amid the Christmas getaway.

A number of airports across the UK have reported delays and cancellations to services, while domestic rail services have also been badly affected.

Eurostar said it is operating about two thirds of its normal service on Wednesday, but the company asked people who intend to travel not to go to the St Pancras terminal until after 1pm.

A spokeswoman said: "The last thing we want is for people to have to hang about for long periods. But we are hopeful of getting a large number of people away." Eurostar is expected to run about two thirds of services on Christmas Eve and on Boxing Day - there are no Christmas Day services.

Meanwhile, at the Port of Dover passengers were urged not to travel there unless they had a ticket. Ticketholders were still being advised to check availability with their operator.