Driver rescued after van becomes stuck on icy Longmynd

PC Damon Preston, the Local Policing Officer for Church Stretton, went to the aid of the stricken driver and his passenger after they made a 999 call saying they were stuck on Burway road over the Longmynd and in danger of slipping over the edge into the valley below.

The officer managed to reach their Ford Transit wedging his 4x4 police vehicle behind the van to prevent it sliding further.
The incident happened just before midday on Saturday when the Burway road was signposted as being closed due to the icy conditions.

Sergeant Adrian Woolley said today: "The man and his adult daughter were terrified. They could not drive forward or back due to the road being covered in ice and their van had slid dangerously close to the edge of the road with a huge drop immediately below.

"The daughter managed to get out of the passenger's side but the driver was unable to move for fear of going over the edge. He had to remain in the vehicle with the handbrake on and his foot firmly on the brake to prevent it sliding further.

"When PC Preston arrived he saw the van was sliding and used his four wheel drive to act as a barrier. It did slide into the police vehicle causing slight damage but the man was eventually able to get out safely.

"The actions of PC Preston may well have prevented an incident resulting in serious injury."

The van was moved to a layby after the fire service attended with salt and grit to treat the road surface.

Sergeant Woolley urged drivers not to ignore road closure signs. "This particular road can be particularly dangerous in winter. There may be no ice at the time in Church Stretton but high up in the hills, conditions can still be freezing. The signs
are there for good reason in the interests of public safety."

He added the driver had been reported for failing to comply with a road sign.