This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7221463.stm

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Sea rescues amid stormy weather Sea rescues amid stormy weather
(30 minutes later)
Stormy weather has left rescuers battling stormy seas to the north and west of Britain after a ferry and trawler both ran aground.Stormy weather has left rescuers battling stormy 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, 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.
Snow is expected to fall in many parts of Britain, with strong winds causing blizzards in parts of Scotland. Elsewere high winds have caused power cuts, road closures, and disruption to drivers and travellers.
Preparations for the bad weather have been launched across the North East of England and East Anglia which are also predicted to see plenty of snow. The crew of the Spinningdale trawler have now been flown by helicopter to Stornoway. Their vessel ran aground on one of the islands of the St Kilda archipelago.
Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents. 'Terrible conditions'
A huge wave smashed into the Riverdance, the grounded ferry off Blackpool, 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 Lancashire coast.
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. I've got to say that the two lifeboat crews and the helicopters did a wonderful job John Matthews Fleetwood RNLI
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.
"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.
Caution urgedCaution urged
Council gritters in many parts of England have been out overnight to try to combat the effects of the snowfall. 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.
Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur Mark ClarkMaritime and Coastguard Agency Ferry runs aground 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.
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. The rest of the UK will have a mixture of wintry flurries and sunny spells.Later in the day the snow will reach Lincolnshire and East Anglia. The rest of the UK will have a mixture of wintry flurries and sunny spells.
Motorists across the country have already been hit by high winds which have caused several accidents.
Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur Mark ClarkMaritime and Coastguard Agency Ferry runs aground 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
  • The grounded ferry is a freight vessel that had been taking trucks from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire. There are now fears of possible pollution from its fuel and cargo
  • 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
  • In Scotland, the Erskine and Skye bridges are closed to high-sided vehicles and the Forth and Tay bridges are closed to double deckers
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of the snow that is forecast. The decision came after a severe weather warning from Shropshire County Council
  • Some schools in Shropshire are closing early on Friday because of the snow that is forecast. The decision came after a severe weather warning from Shropshire County Council
  • On Thursday a 45-year-old lorry driver died on the M6 near Tebay, Cumbria, as his lorry overturned in 70 mph gusts
  • In Wales, about 1,000 homes were left without power on Thursday in Gwynedd and two schools, John Beddoes High in Presteigne and Whitton Primary schools in Powys, closed because of a power failure
  • In Moseley, Birmingham, a baby girl had to be taken to hospital after a strong gust knocked her and the pushchair she was in into a lake
  • The Forth Road Bridge, west of Edinburgh, was closed after a lorry earlier overturned in high winds
  • The Port of Dover in Kent was forced to close for a time after it was hit by gusts of up to 60mph.
    • Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards AA spokesmanWhere possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards AA spokesman
    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.
    A spokesman said: "Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards.A spokesman said: "Where possible, motorists should postpone car journeys until the weather clears, but those who do need to be out on the roads may find they need to cope with weather related hazards.
    "Decreased visibility is one of those, so make sure you de-mist before you set off.""Decreased visibility is one of those, so make sure you de-mist before you set off."
    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.
    Name
    		 Name