Wessex 4x4 rescue team 'braving the cold' as region sees sub-zero temperatures
Volunteers from across the region are working to help those who need it amid the treacherous and icy conditions
Rescue teams across Wessex - and the wider South West - continue to work hard, amid the cold weather continuing to bite.
A Met Office yellow warning for ice is currently in force, and an army of volunteers are out there, aiding the local authorities in helping those most in need.
Wessex 4x4s are deployed when called on by the local council, and are sent out to missions by providing emergency logistics for the Category 1 & 2 organisations, in support of our communities.
They recently helped with the distribution of water in Bristol, when there was a mains outage - and worked tirelessly during the recent bouts of flooding which the region saw.
One volunteer, Freya Puttock, told us what they're doing, now the freezing weather has firmly set in.
She said: "What we do helps local authorities, as an extra level of help when things get really busy - and we've already had some callouts this year, which actually is pretty unusual.
"It's been really busy, but our message first of all is that we work all year round. It's not just about snow, either, as we tackle adverse incidents across the region.
"This weather is dangerous - and ultimately, what we do is called a 'dynamic risk assessment', so if we're tasked with a job, if we don't think it's safe enough, we work out other ways of doing things - to make sure we can help in the right way.
"Our message, ultimately, is thinking about your capability, thinking about your time, thinking about your confidence, and thinking about your vehicle - with some of the more dangerous roads most likely the more minor ones which haven't been gritted.
"If your journey is essential, and there is some bad weather coming, you need to make sure you've got a hot drink, some food, and a charged phone - but the real point is planning ahead, and asking yourself if you really need to go outside amid the sheets of ice on the roads.
"But for what we do, we really enjoy helping our communities. You don't get up in the middle of the night for something like this if you feel you're not adding something to the local area - and that's exactly why I love it.
"It's a small thing we each do - but collectively, the wider impact is so very important."
Significant travel disruption was caused by the snow in Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday, with some roads closed and motorists stationary for "long periods of time", a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways said.
Snow ploughs became stuck in queues of traffic caused by "minor incidents", the statement added.
Ploughs have been fitted to gritters which were working into Thursday morning to clear routes in the area, police and highways officials said.
A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of north-west England has been issued until 11am on Thursday.
And a yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales until 10.30am on Thursday.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
"Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow," said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.
"Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended."
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: "We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
"This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
"These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures."
Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, but hundreds have been removed and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.
You can find out more about Wessex 4x4 Response on their website.
Rayo Premium