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Problems persist after heavy snow Problems persist after heavy snow
(20 minutes later)
Thousands of homes remain without power and some key roads are still blocked after high winds and heavy snowfall across much of the UK.Thousands of homes remain without power and some key roads are still blocked after high winds and heavy snowfall across much of the UK.
Some 1,600 homes, mostly in Yorkshire, are without power and 130 vehicles remain stuck on the A66 in Co Durham.Some 1,600 homes, mostly in Yorkshire, are without power and 130 vehicles remain stuck on the A66 in Co Durham.
A seriously injured ship captain and two passengers have been airlifted off a cargo ship off the Isles of Scilly by a Royal Navy helicopter.A seriously injured ship captain and two passengers have been airlifted off a cargo ship off the Isles of Scilly by a Royal Navy helicopter.
Plummeting temperatures led to warnings of icy roads on Saturday.Plummeting temperatures led to warnings of icy roads on Saturday.
CE Electrics, which controls the network in North Yorkshire, where most of the power losses occurred, said snow, rain and wind had hampered engineers' efforts to restore supplies.CE Electrics, which controls the network in North Yorkshire, where most of the power losses occurred, said snow, rain and wind had hampered engineers' efforts to restore supplies.
Spokesman David Gill said power had already been restored to 43,000 of 45,000 customers, and engineers were working on the remaining blackouts.Spokesman David Gill said power had already been restored to 43,000 of 45,000 customers, and engineers were working on the remaining blackouts.
"First light this morning we've got two helicopters which allow us to get quick sight of where the damage is on our network and our resources, our engineers, are already on site as well," he said."First light this morning we've got two helicopters which allow us to get quick sight of where the damage is on our network and our resources, our engineers, are already on site as well," he said.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for all of the UK apart from south-east England.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for all of the UK apart from south-east England.
Rescue bidRescue bid
On Friday night RAF helicopters spent nearly an hour fighting gale-force winds over the Horncliff cargo vessel, in an attempt to rescue its skipper, after he suffered spinal and internal injuries in a storm off the Isles of Scilly.On Friday night RAF helicopters spent nearly an hour fighting gale-force winds over the Horncliff cargo vessel, in an attempt to rescue its skipper, after he suffered spinal and internal injuries in a storm off the Isles of Scilly.
But with the vessel moving around so much in the high seas, crews decided it was safer for the captain to remain where he was overnight.But with the vessel moving around so much in the high seas, crews decided it was safer for the captain to remain where he was overnight.
UK weather in picturesCaptain rescue restartsFears over 'trawler rats'UK weather in picturesCaptain rescue restartsFears over 'trawler rats'
Helicopter captain Flt Lt Jonathan Singh said the conditions had been "horrendous".Helicopter captain Flt Lt Jonathan Singh said the conditions had been "horrendous".
He said: "It's obviously pitch black out there, it's extremely dark with no sort of cultural lighting at that distance from land.He said: "It's obviously pitch black out there, it's extremely dark with no sort of cultural lighting at that distance from land.
"The sea swell was probably between 35 and 40 feet and because the vessel had suffered some power failure, it was unable to manoeuvre particularly well, which meant that it was stuck riding the swell."The sea swell was probably between 35 and 40 feet and because the vessel had suffered some power failure, it was unable to manoeuvre particularly well, which meant that it was stuck riding the swell.
"Not only was it pitching up and down 35 to 40 feet, but it was also rolling by about 20-25 degrees which made, you can appreciate, hovering over it extremely difficult.""Not only was it pitching up and down 35 to 40 feet, but it was also rolling by about 20-25 degrees which made, you can appreciate, hovering over it extremely difficult."
A Falmouth coastguard spokesman said weather conditions had eased on Saturday morning in the area south of Ireland, allowing the rescue to eventually take place.A Falmouth coastguard spokesman said weather conditions had eased on Saturday morning in the area south of Ireland, allowing the rescue to eventually take place.
The vessel has switched destination from Cork to Falmouth, where it is expected to arrive between 1000 GMT and 1400 GMT on Saturday.The vessel has switched destination from Cork to Falmouth, where it is expected to arrive between 1000 GMT and 1400 GMT on Saturday.
Attempts to salvage a ferry which ran aground off Blackpool will restart when salvage equipment from Rotterdam arrives.
A spokesman for Seatruck Ltd, which owns the Riverdance, said: "The salvage master and his team are making an inspection from the shore this morning.
"Their intention is to board the ship. The first objective is to remove the vessel's fuel.
"One option for that may be to pump it to trucks on the shore."
Snow continuesSnow continues
Temperatures as low as -10C (14F) had been forecast for the Scottish Highlands overnight.Temperatures as low as -10C (14F) had been forecast for the Scottish Highlands overnight.
People in parts of Scotland woke to more snow on Saturday.People in parts of Scotland woke to more snow on Saturday.
More wintry showers are predicted for north-west England and western Scotland during the day, but on the whole weather conditions are expected to ease.More wintry showers are predicted for north-west England and western Scotland during the day, but on the whole weather conditions are expected to ease.
Arthur Ashburner, from the Highways Agency Control Centre, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "most of the country will be affected by icy roads" and warned drivers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.Arthur Ashburner, from the Highways Agency Control Centre, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "most of the country will be affected by icy roads" and warned drivers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
For those who did embark on a journey, he said it was "essential to some severe weather kit" in the car - such as warm clothing, hats and boots - and to check that they have enough fuel.For those who did embark on a journey, he said it was "essential to some severe weather kit" in the car - such as warm clothing, hats and boots - and to check that they have enough fuel.
Motorists rescuedMotorists rescued
On Friday, blizzards affected much of Scotland and northern England, with snow recorded as deep as 15cm (5.9in) in some parts.On Friday, blizzards affected much of Scotland and northern England, with snow recorded as deep as 15cm (5.9in) in some parts.
High winds of up to 80mph brought chaos to the roads, knocked down trees and left some 6,000 homes without electricity.High winds of up to 80mph brought chaos to the roads, knocked down trees and left some 6,000 homes without electricity.
Unexpectedly heavy snowfall led to about 200 people being stranded on the A66 on Friday, including a coach party of 40 pensioners and a group of 15 children.Unexpectedly heavy snowfall led to about 200 people being stranded on the A66 on Friday, including a coach party of 40 pensioners and a group of 15 children.
The A66 is still closed between Scotch Corner and Brough.The A66 is still closed between Scotch Corner and Brough.
Have you been affected by the snow? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.Have you been affected by the snow? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.
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