Driver killed after car is in collision with ambulance as winter hits home
A WOMAN was killed when her car was in collision with an ambulance that was ferrying a patient to hospital from an earlier accident as severe weather conditions gripped Scotland.
Forecasters warned galeforce winds will also batter parts of the country this week with the threat of travel disruption, power cuts and coastal floods.
The west coast could be hit by strong winds and “unusually high” waves during an Atlantic storm forecast to reach the UK by midweek.
Drivers were warned to take extra care on freezing roads after police dealt with a spate of accidents including several crashes in the south of Scotland.
Zoe Clark, 24, f rom Carronbridge, Thornhill, died after the Vauxhall Corsa she was driving collided with an ambulance on the A76 about five miles south of Mennock, near Sanquhar, at about 8.40am on Monday.
A woman in the back of the ambulance was being transported to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary accompanied by her husband after being involved in an earlier crash further north on the same road.
Both were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the second crash.
The driver of the ambulance also sustained minor injuries while a second crew member was treated for a head injury.
The road was closed as an investigation got under way and the procurator fiscal was informed.
Police Scotland said it was too early to say whether freezing conditions had contributed to the accident but advised drivers to avoid the area. There were also several incidents on the A74 near Moffat and Beattock.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Freezing conditions are currently making for difficult driving conditions and drivers should check their routes before setting off.”
Firefighters also issued a warning after an incident yesterday in which a man and a woman were rescued from a car after it left the snow-affected A736 Lochlibo Road in North Ayrshire.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Paul Timmons said: “Snow, sleet and rain all reduce visibility and mean slippery road surfaces, making it more likely people will experience a collision. It can happen to any of us but there are things we can do to reduce the risk.
“Driving at a safe speed – one that’s appropriate for the conditions as well as within the limit – will help protect ourselves, our passengers and others. It’s important that drivers remember it takes a much bigger distance to stop when the road is wet, so we always need to make sure there’s a big enough gap to the vehicle in front.”
A Met Office “be aware” alert is in place for high winds from Tuesday night to Thurs- day morning, with the potential for gusts of up to 80mph in exposed north-western areas.
The winds are expected to whip up high waves with spray and over-topping bringing a risk of flooding to coastal roads and causeways. Sean Penston, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “Wednesday is probably going to be the windiest day, with gale-force westerly winds and up to 60mph gusts.
“In the north-west it could get up to 70-80mph, accompanied by heavy showers, often wintry and falling as snow on high ground.”
Snow-affected routes included the A9 at Drumochter, the A85 at Glen Ogle and the A93 between Ballater and Glenshee.
Icy conditions were also reported on the M8 as well as on many routes across the Highlands, Western Isles and north-east of Scotland.