Twenty vehicles still stranded after police rescue occupants – all safe and warm

Police have rescued 20 vehicles stranded in snowy conditions with the assistance of road graders, but 20 more remain stuck – in a rescue effort that is expected to take hours.

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POLICE are rescuing a number of vehicles still stranded in hazardous conditions at Spring Hill tonight.

Earlier this afternoon about 40 vehicles were stranded in the snowy conditions. Police, with the assistance of road graders, are working to free the 20 remaining vehicles.

Police have checked on the welfare of the vehicle occupants – all are safe and warm, with their engines running.

“It is extremely lucky that there were no serious injury crashes in the conditions on the roads this afternoon and evening. Police urge people to avoid unnecessary travel this evening and to check the Community Alerts on the Tasmania Police website before attempting to travel, as there are numerous road closures across the South of the State including the Midland Highway between Melton Mowbray and Tunbridge,” said Inspector Brett Berry.

It’s expected that the vehicles will be extracted within the next three hours.

The occupants of the 10 vehicles stranded earlier at Bust Me Gall on the Tasman Highway have been assisted and provided with police transport out.

A number of cars have been left there for collection when conditions ease.

While there have been dozens of vehicles assisted after becoming stranded at elevated locations, no injuries have been reported.

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