Gritter driver’s lucky escape as lorry flips over in icy weather
A GRITTER driver was taken to hospital after his vehicle overturned and crashed down an embankment amid efforts to keep Scotland’s commuters moving in severe wintry weather yesterday.
The vehicle plunged off the road about 3.30am on the A828 near Appin, Argyll and Bute.
It came as Scotland was hit by a second day of frozen conditions.
Police said the driver was not seriously injured but was taken away for treatment. Recovery was being looked at for the stricken vehicle.
Temperatures were expected to plunge to -14°C in some parts of the country today.
Significant snowfall, largely in the north of England, also saw Manchester Airport and Liverpool Airport temporarily halt flights.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice today and tomorrow across most of the UK, but has said a more serious warning could be issued.
The forecaster says parts of Scotland, including the northwest, the Northern and Western Isles, will wake up today to find ice on untreated surfaces after further snow fell last night.
It has also said most of the country will face rain, sleet and snow showers tonight. Widespread harsh frost, along with freezing fog and significant snowfall, is expected to last until midday tomorrow.
Alex Burkill, of the Met Office, said: “It’s what happens on Thursday that has the potential to be more disruptive. It does have the potential to bring some very significant snow.”