Firefighters have issued a stark warning for motorists to avoid driving in the snow unless absolutely necessary, following a serious head-on collision in the Midlands.
Emergency Response to A5 Collision
Emergency services were called to the A5 near West Felton, Shropshire, at 20:23 on Thursday, January 8, after reports of a two-vehicle crash. The incident occurred during a period of heavy snowfall, with crews from Oswestry Fire Station attending the scene.
A photograph from the location showed traffic building up behind the emergency response teams as they dealt with the aftermath. Despite the severity of the collision, which involved vehicles hitting head-on, thankfully only very minor injuries were reported. West Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the incident.
Urgent Safety Plea from Fire Crews
In the wake of the ordeal, firefighters took to social media to deliver a direct message to the public. Oswestry Fire Station stated on Facebook: "Please if possible do not drive, unless it's an emergency, it puts yours and our lives responding in danger."
The clear warning emphasises that driving in such treacherous conditions puts lives at risk, not only those of motorists but also of the emergency personnel who must respond to incidents.
Fresh Weather Warning Issued
The crash and subsequent warning come as the Met Office issued a new yellow weather alert for snow and ice. This warning is set to impact 51 areas across the UK and will be in force from 2am until 3pm on Sunday, January 11.
The combination of the recent serious incident and the forecast for further disruptive weather underscores the critical importance of heeding official safety advice. Residents are urged to consider all travel plans carefully and to stay updated with the latest local forecasts and traffic information.
