PARAMEDICS have rescued a number of people injured by falling or sledging in the snow.

Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) were on hand during the big freeze to help people who had suffered broken bones, fractures and back injuries.

Incidents included a sledger who injured their ankle after crashing into a tree at Westonbirt Arboretum at high speed collision. The patient was flown to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

At 3.30pm last Thursday, the air ambulance was called to a farm in Chipping Sodbury where an elderly female had fallen in the snow and fractured her ankle.

With more snow forecast this week, ambulance crews are now warning people to take more care.

Critical care paramedic Pete Sadler said: "In no way do we want to be killjoys and stop people having fun in the snow.

"However, accidents can be avoided and we want to spread this message so people can enjoy the snow without ending up injuring themselves and going to hospital."

He added: "We want people to enjoy snow time activities such as sledging but we also want them to think about the consequences of their actions. When sledging, make sure that there is a clear area to stop and there aren’t any large trees nearby because these are the cause of significant injuries.

"Also, make sure you take care when making essential journeys and to prepare well whether you are travelling on foot or by car. We are committed to providing assistance wherever possible but prevention is better than cure so we are urging everybody to take extra care in the current prevailing weather conditions."

During the cold snap, the patient transport service run by Great Western Ambulance Service was scaled back because of the increased demand in A&E services.

The service, which takes patients to hospital appointments, was only operation for critical services and urgent transfers. Transport services for all regular hospital appointments were cancelled until Monday when they were restored to normal service.