Couple's amazing escape in Shropshire Hills black ice drama

The driver of a Land Rover Defender 4x4 had to keep his foot jammed on the brake pedal for about 25 minutes to stop the car falling down the Burway, near Church Stretton, while his wife – who had climbed out with the couple's four dogs – called for help.

Police and fire crews who went to the couple's aid had to walk up the hillside from Church Stretton and Asterton after treacherous conditions and freezing temperatures made the road impassable.

Constable Barry Morgan, who was one of the first people on the scene and helped the driver stabilise his vehicle, said the 4x4 had been just four inches from the edge of the steep drop on the edge of the hillside.

He said the car had continued to slide while the driver had waited for help.

But the couple, who have not been named, were eventually able to walk down the road on the west banks of the Long Mynd near Asterton without any injuries.

The road over the Burway and Long Mynd was closed for several hours after the incident, which happened shortly before 1pm yesterday, after it was deemed unsafe.

Police have warned people not to drive over the Shropshire Hills in freezing weather conditions.

The Met Office issued warnings for ice in the Church Stretton area yesterday and for most of this morning as temperatures dropped as low as -2C (28F).

Inspector Ed Hancox, of West Mercia Police, said: "The Burway is a treacherous road in poor weather and is especially dangerous in frost, ice or snow, as it is not gritted.

"Run-off from the surrounding fields gathers on the road and re-freezes into sheet and black ice.

"There were ice warning signs out and we urge people not to risk it in freezing temperatures and use another route."

Meanwhile, Jiggers Bank in the Ironbridge Gorge will continue to be closed to traffic following the rockfall earlier this week.

A spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council said: "We expect the closure to continue at least until Saturday evening, subject to no further problems being identified.

"A diversion will continue in operation using the Buildwas bypass from Dale End.

"The collapse follows the recent heavy rains, which had pushed rock debris on to the road. Engineers have also found a further section of rock that could collapse and will need to remove or stabilise this before the road can re-open."

By Peter Kitchen