DERBY Mountain Rescue was called out in the early hours to help stranded motorists on the A515 between Ashbourne and Buxton after heavy snow made the road impassable.
Jack-knifed lorries and six foot high snow drifts had blocked the road and many cars had become stranded in the conditions.
The Derby team, along with Edale and Buxton mountain rescue teams, used their 4 by 4 vehicles to travel the road and check on people of the marooned vehicles. They offered assistance where required and recovered people to safety where necessary.
The worst conditions were on the stretch of the road between Newhaven and Buxton, where stranded lorries added to the adverse conditions.
Snow ploughs, voluntary 4x4 support vehicles and local farmers with tractors joined in the operation to attempt to clear as much of the road as possible.
Many motorists chose to spend the night in their stranded vehicles, while others were taken to safety or their own homes where possible.
A Mountain Rescue Team spokesman said: "The conditions last night were atrocious and many people had become trapped trying to get home. Luckily, with mountain rescue teams approaching from both ends of the road, we were able to get to everyone stuck and offer assistance where required."
↧