Eight hurt in snow on road crash

School children made their way to lessons through the melting snow

Eight people were taken to hospital following a motorway crash as snow swept across central England.

Ambulance crews were called to the M42 southbound between junction 10, Tamworth, and junction nine, Sutton Coldfield, during Sunday night.

About 20 vehicles got stuck in snow near Bewdley, Worcs, and 4,000 people were without power as up to four inches of snow fell across the Midlands.

However, the majority of the snow had thawed during the morning.

This incident must surely serve as a warning for drivers that winter has arrived Spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service

East Midlands Airport was forced to close its runway for 40 minutes with flights diverted to Birmingham or Manchester.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said when crews arrived at the crash scene they found a van on its side in the slush at the side of the road and two cars which had also been damaged.

"Crews had to treat a total of eight patients while the snow fell," he said.

"This incident must surely serve as a warning for drivers that winter has arrived and it is vital they take note of the conditions when they go out on the roads."

One man was treated for injuries to his neck and back while another had a shoulder injury. Six more people were treated for seat belt injuries.

West Mercia Police said they had had a busy night due to the weather conditions.

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Twenty vehicles, including a minibus carrying a party of sixth form students from Walsall became stranded on the A456 at Clows Top.

Nearby residents came out and used tractors and 4x4s to tow vehicles which could not get up or down the hill. They also gave stranded motorists hot drinks.

A police spokeswoman said the snow had caught the motorists by surprise.

"Some vehicles were unable to get up the hill, while others were unable to come down because it was slippery," she said.

Snow fell across most of central England with Derbyshire's Peak District the worst affected.

Snow also fell in Shropshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Sheffield.

In Shropshire up to 4,000 homes were left without power.