THE 1ST SNOW HELL

Drivers are trapped in cars for up to 19hrs

- HOLLIE BONE

HEAVY DOWNFALLS HIT MOTORISTS & HOMES

• Thousands shivering due to power cuts

DRIVERS were stranded for up to 19 hours and thousands of people were left without power after heavy snow arrived amid sub-zero temperatures.

A major incident was declared in Cumbria after some motorists were marooned without food or water and others were forced to abandon their vehicles.

More than 2,500 homes lost power in the county yesterday after 6in of snow fell in 24 hours.

Richard Warren, of the Lake District Mountain Rescue Association, said he worked for 10 hours through Saturday night.

He said some parts of the region had seen more than a foot of snowfall and some trees had fallen under the weight.

He said: “The roads are an absolute mess with a foot of snow on some. Cars are abandoned all over the place, gritters can’t get through, cars can’t get through.”