31/03/2010

Travel Disrupted By Chaotic Weather

A teenage girl has died after the coach she was travelling in crashed in South Lanarkshire.

More than 40 people were inside the vehicle when it overturned in snowy condition at around 6am this morning.

It is believed 39 of those on-board were school children on their way to a theme park, accompanied by five members of staff.

Three of the Lanark Grammar School party are still being treated for serious injuries.

The girl who lost her life had been airlifted to Wishaw General Hospital along with one other casualty.

Emergency services dealt with many others wounded at the scene.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the crash was "almost certainly weather related".

He added: "Our thoughts are very much with the parents and relatives and staff members caught up in this incident."

Severe weather warnings have been in place for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland since last night.

Lothian and Borders Police warned motorists to be aware of the risk of flooding on roads throughout the area.

Flood watches are in place in East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and Edinburgh.

Particular concerns have been raised about the River Esk in Musselburgh where the water is approaching a record high.

Northern Constabulary officers have closed the A9 at Dalwhinnie, the B9007 Ferness to Carrbridge road and the A939 Grantown to Dava Road due to weather conditions.

Police in Londonderry rescued around 300 people trapped on the Glenshane Pass, the main connecting road from Belfast.

Around 48,000 homes in Northern Ireland and at least 24,000 in Scotland are still without power after lines came down.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings in Scotland for areas such as the Highlands, Grampian, Aberdeenshire, Lothian and Borders. Snow could also affect high parts of England and Wales.

(PR/GK)

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