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Sea rescues amid stormy weather Sea rescues amid stormy weather
(20 minutes later)
Stormy weather has left rescuers battling high seas to the north and west of Britain after a ferry and trawler both ran aground.Stormy weather has left rescuers battling high seas to the north and west of Britain after a ferry and trawler both ran aground.
A helicopter winched 14 people to safety from the stricken trawler off St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides.A helicopter winched 14 people to safety from the stricken trawler off St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides.
Rescuers also airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which ran aground off the coast of Blackpool.Rescuers also airlifted 23 passengers and crew from a ferry which ran aground off the coast of Blackpool.
Elsewhere high winds have caused power cuts, road closures, and disruption to drivers and travellers.Elsewhere high winds have caused power cuts, road closures, and disruption to drivers and travellers.
The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.The Spanish crew of the British-registered Spinningdale trawler have now been flown to Stornoway. Four were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
UK weather in picturesUK weather in pictures
Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.Their vessel ran aground on rocks on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago - 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of Force 9 winds.They were unable to evacuate to a life raft because of Force 9 winds.
Gusts of up to 50 knots (58mph) above nearby cliffs had hampered rescue efforts, and an earlier attempt to lift them to safety had to be abandoned.Gusts of up to 50 knots (58mph) above nearby cliffs had hampered rescue efforts, and an earlier attempt to lift them to safety had to be abandoned.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will launch an investigation into the incident.
'Terrible conditions''Terrible conditions'
A Rotterdam-based salvage team is on its way to Blackpool after a huge wave smashed into the Riverdance, the grounded ferry off the Lancashire coast, as it crossed the Irish Sea at about 2000GMT last night.A Rotterdam-based salvage team is on its way to Blackpool after a huge wave smashed into the Riverdance, the grounded ferry off the Lancashire coast, as it crossed the Irish Sea at about 2000GMT last night.
The freight vessel which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire began listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the coast.The freight vessel which had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire began listing at an angle of 60 degrees off the coast.
I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job John Matthews Fleetwood RNLI Operation to float ferryI've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job John Matthews Fleetwood RNLI Operation to float ferry
The Bahamas-registered vessel, which was built in 1977, is being monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. It is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.The Bahamas-registered vessel, which was built in 1977, is being monitored by the coastguard in case of any oil spills. It is carrying 150 tonnes of fuel.
One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.One of those involved in the recovery operation praised the rescue crews and the Riverdance's captain.
John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.John Matthews, from Fleetwood RNLI, said: "The conditions were terrible. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job.
"Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was.""Listening to it on the radio, everything was very calm and professional. I was quite amazed by how calm the master of the ship was."
Mr Matthews said it was "some of the worst" weather the Fleetwood lifeboat had ever been sent out in.Mr Matthews said it was "some of the worst" weather the Fleetwood lifeboat had ever been sent out in.
Several other areas of the country are also bracing themselves for bad weather. Forecasters predict there will be snow in the north east of England as well as Yorkshire and Cumbria starting around lunchtime.Several other areas of the country are also bracing themselves for bad weather. Forecasters predict there will be snow in the north east of England as well as Yorkshire and Cumbria starting around lunchtime.
Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia.Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia.
Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents.Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents.
Meanwhile, southern parts of the UK are seeing few signs of the bad weather, with most areas bathed in sunshine.Meanwhile, southern parts of the UK are seeing few signs of the bad weather, with most areas bathed in sunshine.
BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said Scotland could expect gales and 20cm to 30cm of snow across the hills, but added "this is not unusual" for the region.BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said Scotland could expect gales and 20cm to 30cm of snow across the hills, but added "this is not unusual" for the region.
Hazardous conditionsHazardous conditions
  • Scottish Power says 1,000 homes in Dumfries and Galloway and Lanarkshire are without electricity. They should all be reconnected by the end of Friday
  • Scottish Power says 1,000 homes in Dumfries and Galloway and Lanarkshire are without electricity. They should all be reconnected by the end of Friday
  • Two firefighters have been taken to hospital with suspected broken legs after a garage collapsed on them at Bothwell in South Lanarkshire. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue says strong winds may have been a factor
  • Two firefighters have been taken to hospital with suspected broken legs after a garage collapsed on them at Bothwell in South Lanarkshire. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue says strong winds may have been a factor
  • In Scotland, the Erskine and Skye bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles and the Forth and Tay bridges are closed to double deckers
  • In Scotland, the Erskine and Skye bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles and the Forth and Tay bridges are closed to double deckers
  • Northumberland County Council is sending buses to all of its schools one or two hours early, to get children home as a precautionary measure
    • Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears AA spokesman
  • Caledonian MacBrayne ferries to west coast islands are suffering major disruption
    		• Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears AA spokesman
  • Caledonian MacBrayne ferries to west coast islands are suffering major disruption
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of snow forecasts.
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of snow forecasts.
    • Chairman of the Local Government Association Transport and Regeneration Board, Councillor David Sparks, said: "Councils up and down the country are on high alert for the wintry weather forecast this week.Chairman of the Local Government Association Transport and Regeneration Board, Councillor David Sparks, said: "Councils up and down the country are on high alert for the wintry weather forecast this week.
    "The stockpiling of grit, combined with investment in new technology, means that local authorities will be able to tackle icy road conditions before they become potentially dangerous for drivers.""The stockpiling of grit, combined with investment in new technology, means that local authorities will be able to tackle icy road conditions before they become potentially dangerous for drivers."
    The AA advised motorists to prepare for journeys by checking local traffic and weather reports.The AA advised motorists to prepare for journeys by checking local traffic and weather reports.
    Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.Do you know anyone who was on the ferry? Have you been affected by bad weather in your area? Are you finding it difficult to travel because of the storms? Send us your experiences using the form below.
    You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
    At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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