Heavy snow causes chaos in Somerset in 2013

Tragedy and chaos in Somerset

DOZENS of schools were shut and roads were closed as heavy snow caused chaos in Somerset.

The worst problems came on Tuesday evening when a second batch of snow fell onto already-wet roads, forcing dozens of drivers to abandon their vehicles as conditions worsened.

In West Somerset on Saturday, 57- year-old postman John Bircham died after suffering a suspected heart attack as he tried to dig out his delivery van.

The dad-of-two’s son Wayne, said his father, who had worked at Royal Mail’s Dulverton delivery office for 25 years, was an “amazing man.”

With many schools forced to close or send pupils home early on both Friday and Tuesday, a fierce debate has broken out about whether head teachers are too quick to shut.

In an on-line poll at somersetcountygazette.co.uk, 60% of readers felt that schools close too easily, while 40% said bosses are right to think safety first.

A county council spokesman said: “Head teachers and governing bodies are responsible for the day-to-day management of their schools. Each head teacher is best placed to determine whether their school can operate.

“Head teachers are fully aware of the need to try and open their schools as they understand how frustrating it is for parents to find child care at short notice.”

Elsewhere, ten cars slid out of control on a hill at Kingston St Mary on Tuesday and dozens of motorists abandoned their cars on the A39 between Taunton and Williton. Police and fire crews carried the 30 stranded drivers to Nether Stowey village hall where they stayed the night.

Cars were also dumped on Ford Street, Wellington. Driver Steve Mitchell was grateful when he was rescued from thick snow at Blagdon Hill.

He said: “Two people in a Mitsubishi Shogun towed me from being stuck on the hill up to the top so I could drive home. They then returned to help the others.”