With hundreds of vehicles stranded and traffic queues crawling around the region's motorways, the emergency services are struggling to avert a wave of medical emergencies.
Thousands of drivers have spent all night sleepless in their cars without food or water, and as conditions continue below freezing, many are using their mobile phones to report themselves running out of fuel.
Hundreds have taken to their feet in an attempt to walk out of the chaos, and police are struggling to keep hard shoulders clear for emergency vehicles.
Gritters continue their efforts even to reach key stretches of motorway, and the M11 particularly is reported as very icy.
The M11 southbound between junctions eight and seven is effectively blocked.
More follows....
January 31, 2003 07:30
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