Walker risks her life when she strips off and dives into a frozen lake to save her DOG as temperatures plunge to -6C after Britain is covered in freezing fog 

  • Woman dived into lake at Alexandra Palace in North London as temperatures fell to -6.1C overnight
  • Met Office says freezing fog re-formed overnight and spread across parts of England and Wales 
  • Sub-zero conditions that have brought the recent cold snap are set to last until the weekend
  • Smog that prompted 'very high' pollution alert in London is still causing problems in South East

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A woman was spotted jumping into a frozen boating lake at Alexandra Palace to save her dog today as temperatures fell to -6C in Britain and freezing fog caused further misery for air passengers.

The walker took off her parka jacket and shoes before diving into the lake in North London with a life ring - and smashed through the ice to get to the dog who had been chasing a bird, according to witnesses.

She managed to direct the animal back to the side of the lake, before someone picked it up and helped her out. The woman was then given dry clothes by a nearby café worker and driven away from the scene.

The astonishing incident came as temperatures dropped to -6.1C overnight at Martin Down in Hampshire. It is expected to stay cold this week as conditions fall to -3C tonight and -5C tomorrow night in the capital. 

More than 100 flights were cancelled at London Heathrow Airport for the second day in a row today and drivers faced icy conditions on the roads as the Met Office issued a warning to motorists to take extra care. 

A woman tries to save her dog from a frozen boating lake at Alexandra Palace in North London today as temperatures fell

A woman tries to save her dog from a frozen boating lake at Alexandra Palace in North London today as temperatures fell

The woman jumped into the lake at Alexandra Palace with a life ring on a day that temperatures fell below -6C in England

The woman jumped into the lake at Alexandra Palace with a life ring on a day that temperatures fell below -6C in England

Mist lingers behind the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the sun begins to rise on another chilly day in Bristol this morning

Mist lingers behind the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the sun begins to rise on another chilly day in Bristol this morning

Starlings form a shape of a whale in an aerial display which lasted for about 30 minutes at Studland near Poole, Dorset

Starlings form a shape of a whale in an aerial display which lasted for about 30 minutes at Studland near Poole, Dorset

Mist lingers as the sun begins to rise over roof tops in Bristol this morning on another foggy day for many areas of England

Mist lingers as the sun begins to rise over roof tops in Bristol this morning on another foggy day for many areas of England

Disruption due to fog: More than 100 flights were cancelled at London Heathrow Airport today for the second day in a row

Disruption due to fog: More than 100 flights were cancelled at London Heathrow Airport today for the second day in a row

Overnight fog caused fresh disruption to air travel for thousands of people in southern England who were hoping to fly, a day after dozens of cancellations and delays - and the fog could cause more problems again tomorrow.

Freezing fog re-formed overnight and became widespread across parts of South West England, South East Wales and the West Midlands, with dense patches forming in other parts of England including the South East. 

After the mist began to slowly thin and lift this morning, another Met Office severe weather warning for fog and ice covering central and South East England was issued - and will run from 6pm tonight until 11am tomorrow.

And the toxic smog that prompted London officials to issue a 'very high' pollution alert for the first time yesterday is still causing problems today, with another warning issued for those living in the South East. 

Britons have been warned to protect themselves from 'filthy air' as prolonged cold and settled weather causing toxic particles from traffic and other sources caused pollution to reach dangerously high levels.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs warned that adults and children with heart and lung problems in the South East should avoid strenuous physical activity due to the 'very high' pollution levels.

Conditions were so bad in London yesterday that officials issued the 'very high' alert for the first time. Mayor Sadiq Khan said bus stops, Tube stations and roadsides in the capital were the worst affected areas. 

The sub-zero conditions that have brought the recent cold snap are set to last until the weekend, when temperatures could get closer to double figures again.  

Temperatures are struggling in the South East at lunchtime today, especially where some fog patches are lingering

Temperatures are struggling in the South East at lunchtime today, especially where some fog patches are lingering

Air pollution alerts for Britain show a 'very high' level over the South East, with moderate levels in other parts of the UK

Air pollution alerts for Britain show a 'very high' level over the South East, with moderate levels in other parts of the UK

The weather at 2am yesterday
The weather at 2am today

A comparison of the weather at 2am yesterday (left) and 2am today (right), with a 15C temperature swing in Northern Ireland

Meanwhile there was a huge contrast in temperatures this morning in Katesbridge, County Down. Yesterday it was the UK's coldest place at -7.1C, but at the same time this morning it was a relatively balmy 8C.

Gatwick cancelled two flights and Heathrow called off 100 out of about 1,300 flights as a result of the fog today. A spokesman said: 'Persistent freezing fog across the South East has reduced visibility at Heathrow again today.

'With Heathrow operating at more than 99 per cent capacity, there are no gaps in the schedule that can be used for delayed flights and as a result, some passengers may experience disruption to their journeys today.

'Passengers should check their flight status with their airline before coming to the airport. As always, Heathrow's top priority is the safety of passengers. We apologise to those whose travel has been affected by today's weather.'

Fog and low cloud reduce visibility for pilots and air traffic controllers, meaning aircraft must leave extra space for each other – so Heathrow cannot maintain its normal pattern of a plane landing or taking off every 45 seconds. 

London Gatwick meanwhile was only suffering minor disruption this morning, but a spokesman said: 'Air traffic control restrictions imposed due to fog across the South East and Europe may cause some delays to flights.' 

Gatwick cancelled two flights and Heathrow (pictured) called off 100 out of about 1,300 flights as a result of the fog today 

Gatwick cancelled two flights and Heathrow (pictured) called off 100 out of about 1,300 flights as a result of the fog today 

Plane passengers took to Twitter to complain about the delays they faced due to problems at airports in London this morning
One passenger was delayed on a flight to Gatwick

Plane passengers took to Twitter to complain about the delays they faced due to problems at airports in London this morning

Fog forms over fields in the Vale of Pewsey near Marlborough in Wiltshire today as travel disruption was caused in some areas

Fog forms over fields in the Vale of Pewsey near Marlborough in Wiltshire today as travel disruption was caused in some areas

HMS Warrior is pictured at a foggy Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire this morning

HMS Warrior is pictured at a foggy Portsmouth Harbour in Hampshire this morning

Swans swim on the River Trent in a foggy Nottingham on Tuesday as much of England fell under a severe weather warning

Swans swim on the River Trent in Nottingham this morning as much of England fell under a severe weather warning

A person walks their dog at sunrise over Hungerford Common Port Down in the North Wessex Downs in Berkshire today

A person walks their dog at sunrise over Hungerford Common Port Down in the North Wessex Downs in Berkshire today

Rowers are out on the River Cam in Cambridge today on a cold but sunny start to the day in the university city

Rowers are out on the River Cam in Cambridge today on a cold but sunny start to the day in the university city

Yesterday around 100 flights were cancelled at Heathrow, while there was also disruption at London Gatwick, City and Stansted airports, as well as at Manchester and Southampton.

Edinburgh Airport advised passengers to contact their airlines after flights towards the South were affected on Monday. Bristol said flights were operating as normal while Stansted said it had no cancellations. 

Road users were also being warned of difficult driving conditions after Dorset Police reported 31 collisions yesterday morning - six times more than would occur at that time on an average weekday.

The force is urging motorists to take extra care today, while the Met Office warned journeys were likely to take longer than usual because of the adverse conditions.

Alex Neill, home and legal managing director at Which?, said: 'If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to severe weather conditions, it's generally treated as "extraordinary circumstances", and so you won't get compensation.

'However, you are entitled to meals, refreshments, accommodation and hotel transfers depending on the length of your flight and delay.'

Frost covers the ground on a cold and frosty morning in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, as the cold weather continues

Frost covers the ground on a cold and frosty morning in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, as the cold weather continues

Sunrise in Cambridge on a cold but sunny start to the day as sub-zero temperatures continue to blight Britain

Sunrise in Cambridge on a cold but sunny start to the day as sub-zero temperatures continue to blight Britain

The sun rises above a cold and frosty Lytham Windmill in Lytham St Annes on the North West coast of England in Lancashire

The sun rises above a cold and frosty Lytham Windmill in Lytham St Annes on the North West coast of England in Lancashire

The sun rises behind the Palace of Westminster in London this morning as freezing fog forced airports to cancel flights

The sun rises behind the Palace of Westminster in London this morning as freezing fog forced airports to cancel flights

Traffic trails through the fog on Trent Bridge in Nottingham today as parts of the country faced travel disruption

Traffic trails through the fog on Trent Bridge in Nottingham today as parts of the country faced travel disruption

A fisherman rows out to his boat at Cullercoats in North Tyneside shortly before sunrise this morning

A fisherman rows out to his boat at Cullercoats in North Tyneside shortly before sunrise this morning

The HMS Severn patrol vessel sits out on the North Sea as the sun rises through the mist near Tynemouth this morning

The HMS Severn patrol vessel sits out on the North Sea as the sun rises through the mist near Tynemouth this morning

Meanwhile, ferries running to and from the Isle of Wight between Lymington and Yarmouth were suspended until mid-morning today due to dense fog, Wightlink Ferries said.

It is advising customers booked on that route to re-book via Portsmouth and Fishbourne, and is providing coaches for foot passengers hoping to travel on the alternative service. 

Speaking of the pollution alert, Asthma UK's Sonia Munde said: 'Two thirds of people with asthma tell us poor air quality makes their symptoms worse, putting them at increased risk of a potentially fatal asthma attack.

'If you have asthma, and find that fog or cold air makes your asthma worse, you should check weather forecasts and pollution forecasts for your area and carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times.

'People whose asthma is well-managed are more likely to be able to withstand the impact of asthma triggers like cold air or pollution so you can help reduce your risk of an asthma attack by making sure you have an annual asthma review with your doctor or asthma nurse, a written asthma action plan and an inhaler check.' 

Meanwhile Sainsbury’s said that, given the consistent frosty weather over the past few weeks, it has sold 125 per cent more bottles of de-icer compared to the same period last year. 

 

Police officers jump into water-filled ditch to save mother and child in car 

Two police officers have been praised for their bravery after rescuing a woman and her three-year-old child from freezing water after their car ended up on its side in a ditch.

The unnamed West Yorkshire traffic officers were the first on the scene after the car left a road in South Milford, North Yorkshire, today and plunged into the water-filled ditch.

The pair jumped into the water in temperatures of minus three degrees to free the mother and her young child.

West Yorkshire traffic officers plunged into a water-filled ditch after a car left a road in South Milford, North Yorkshire, today

West Yorkshire traffic officers plunged into a water-filled ditch after a car left a road in South Milford, North Yorkshire, today

The woman and the girl were taken to Leeds General Infirmary as a precaution but were not seriously hurt, West Yorkshire Police said.

West Yorkshire Police roads policing unit tweeted: ‘South Milford - car on its side in a ditch, filling with water, female and 3 year old trapped inside. 

'Our officers first on scene. Straight into the water at temperatures of -3. Occupants rescued from the vehicle. Cold, scared but safe. Great job PC 3543 and PC 6100.'

Acting Sergeant Mick Kilburn said: 'This is reflective of the hard work and dedication that officers from West Yorkshire Police roads policing unit display on a daily basis.

'It was particularly brave of these two officers to go into this water-filled ditch to rescue the woman and child from the car and we are pleased that no-one suffered any serious injuries as a result of the accident. We are proud of our officers' actions.'

West Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said: 'I applaud the very brave actions of the two West Yorkshire officers in assisting a young mother and her young child in a very vulnerable situation.

'Thankfully no serious injuries were sustained and our officers acted selflessly.'  

 

Europe faces emergency measures as heavy pollution shrouds areas in smog 

Heavy pollution enveloping much of Europe prompted emergency measures across the continent today.

A toxic cocktail of extreme cold, no wind and heavy burning of coal and wood for heating has left many regions shrouded in smog.

In many countries, including France and Belgium, officials have cautioned against physical exertion for children and the elderly, and for people with respiratory problems.

The landmark Chain Bridge over the River Danube is hardly visible through the smog today in Budapest, Hungary

The landmark Chain Bridge over the River Danube is hardly visible through the smog today in Budapest, Hungary

Self-driving electric shuttles link two train stations in Paris today, in a city hit by chronic pollution and traffic problems

Self-driving electric shuttles link two train stations in Paris today, in a city hit by chronic pollution and traffic problems

Officials in Paris have ordered older, more polluting vehicles off the road since yesterday, and cut the price of public transport.

Speed limits have also been reduced in many parts of France.

Madrid has not issued an alert since a seven-day stretch of high pollution that ended January 1, which saw the city impose the first driving restrictions based on licence plates in Spain.

Eastern Europe has also been hit by blanket of smog, exacerbated by the heavy use of wood and coal during the cold snap.

Hungarian officials have issued pollution alerts for about 20 cities, including Budapest, where cars without catalytic converters have been forbidden from roads from Monday to Wednesday.

An electronic road sign reads 'Pollution, speed limit 70km/h for passenger cars' on the Bordeaux ring road in France

An electronic road sign reads 'Pollution, speed limit 70km/h for passenger cars' on the Bordeaux ring road in France

A pedestrian wears a mask against smog in Debrecen, Hungary, where the level of air pollution has reached dangerous levels

A pedestrian wears a mask against smog in Debrecen, Hungary, where the level of air pollution has reached dangerous levels

In Bulgaria, pollution has smothered the capital, Sofia, already considered one of the most polluted European capitals. But so far, officials have not imposed any specific restrictions.

Politicians in the Krakow region of Poland, considered the area with the dirtiest air in the country, yesterday approved an anti-smog plan that calls for replacing the most polluting heating stoves by 2023.

Poland also plans to ban the use of low-quality coal -- an important but costly measure in a country where coal is used to heat 72 percent of homes.

Piotre Kopalka, 31, was among protesters who presented a petition calling on Warsaw to enact measures similar to those in Krakow.

'We want to live in a healthy city,' he said, wearing a black robe and an anti-pollution mask, and carrying a scythe. 'The situation in Warsaw is more and more worrying, we have to act.' 

 

Train derailment disrupts Southeastern passengers

A freight train has derailed in South East London today, causing major disruption to the Southeastern network.

Thousands of passengers faced delays getting to work as services were suspended and cancelled.

Southeastern tweeted shortly after 6am to say the train had derailed in the Lewisham area.

Southeastern services are severely disrupted following a freight train derailment between Lewisham and Hither Green (above)

Southeastern services are severely disrupted following a freight train derailment between Lewisham and Hither Green (above)

A spokesman said: 'All services through the area will be disrupted, with some services suspended.'

The firm said tickets would be accepted on bus routes, Tube services and on other rail and tram services in the area.

Southeastern added: 'Disruption is expected to last all day. Please make sure you check before travelling.'

Network Rail said the derailment happened shortly before 6am and that it had a team of engineers at the site by 6.15am.

There were no passengers aboard and no-one was injured in the incident.

Thousands of Southeastern passengers faced delays getting to work as services were suspended and cancelled due to the incident

Thousands of Southeastern passengers faced delays getting to work as services were suspended and cancelled due to the incident

A Network Rail spokesman said: 'Owing to a freight train derailment between Lewisham and Hither Green, services are severely disrupted into and out of Charing Cross and Cannon Street.

'Passengers are advised to check their journey before they travel.'

Southeastern passengers vented their frustration on Twitter.

One user, Nicky W, said: 'Another day another #southeastern disaster. Freight train derailed at Lewisham. Don't think I will rush...'

Southeastern passengers vented their frustration on Twitter at the delays after the freight train derailed in South East London
One user, Nicky W, said: 'Another day another #southeastern disaster. Freight train derailed at Lewisham. Don't think I will rush...'

Southeastern passengers vented their frustration on Twitter at the delays after the freight train derailed in South East London

Colin Twigg wrote: 'No trains to Hastings from London Bridge at all?! Because a freight train derailment at Lewisham that's not even on that line?!', while Emilie Murphy added: 'Derailed freight train at Lewisham means Uber to Kings Cross. Think I'll still miss my train - @virgineastcoast will you honour tickets?'

The derailment means trains cannot run between Dartford and Lewisham via Sidcup, with a shuttle service being arranged between Sidcup and Dartford.

Trains are not running from Hastings towards London, while those from Ramsgate that normally run to Charing Cross are being diverted to London Victoria.

Services starting and terminating at both Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks are also suspended, Southeastern said.