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Bill jumped down from the cab of Alpha 1.
There was no sign of a vehicle anywhere on the road.
It was starting to snow heavily again; quickly covering everything in a blanket of white flakes.
"What do you think Bill?" Alan called out "Could it be a hoax?"
"Keep looking, we might not have long before the snow covers the tracks" Bill shouted above the blizzard of snow that was now surrounding them.
Bill went over to the tire marks on the road
"Over here." He shouted waving his hand in the direction of a grass verge.
Carefully he brushed the snow away to reveal more tire tracks; following the black lines across the road he noticed a break in the bank.
"Get the gear." He shouted.
Grabbing the cutting gear from the lockers on the appliance the rest of the crew ran to join Alan and Bill who were now standing by the side of the road.
Looking down over the grass bank all that could be seen of the car was the back of the car. The front end was buried under a fresh pile of snow.
"Julie, Nicky get the ropes; I want you to climb down the bank." Bill called out.
Nicky was the first to make her way down the steep embankment to where the car had come to rest.
"Hello" she called, digging away the snow to reveal the front window of the car
"In here" came a woman's voice
"What's your name, love?"
"Jackie and my husbands name is Stan" she shivered.
"OK, Jackie we'll get you out as soon as we can"
Nicky put her head in through the passenger side window, on the other side of the car a man's body was slumped against the door.
Julie clambered into the back of the car.
Taking off her gloves she checked for a pulse.
His skin was so cold.
Nothing… she lent towards him putting her ear next to his face… still nothing.
Julie turned to Nicky who was attending to Stan's wife, she shook her head and sighed.
"Julie give us a hand with this door"
"Stay with us Jackie" Nicky checked her pulse again.
"Asif get the spinal board" Nicky's voice crackled over the radio.
He scrabbled down the bank to join Nicky and Julie who had managed to prise the passenger door open.
Slowly they lifted Jackie on to the board.
Julie wrapped the blanket around her, and tightened the straps.
"Look after Stan for me" She squeezed Julie hand.
"We will" Julie replied.
"OK" Nicky called over the radio.
Slowly they pulled Jackie to the top of the bank.
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On the other side of town….
"Get the phone for me love," called Sally who was busy getting the breakfast for her family.
Her young son Liam was sitting in his highchair gurgling and slurping at the food Sally was feeding him, she moved the spoon around in front of his eyes and made noises like an aeroplane.
Outside the window snowflakes still drifted down from the dark grey clouds that loomed above.
Alfie the families golden retriever played happily, jumping to catch the falling flakes.
Ring… Ring…. Ring...
"Please can someone answer the phone" she shouted again.
Bradley appeared from another room he hopped along, desperately trying to put his shoe on.
"Hello" said Bradley picking up the receiver.
"Hello, this is Mrs Evans is you mum there,"
"Yeah I will just get her" replied Bradley "Mum"
He passed the phone to Sally "It the Head teacher from school"
"Hello, Mrs Evans" Sally answered
"Hello, I just wanted to inform you that classes have been cancelled. We can't get the heating to work and all the water pipes have frozen. I hope this hasn't inconvenienced you." explained the teacher.
"No that's ok; the child minder was coming over anyway to look after Liam so she won't mind looking after Bradley as well. Thank you for letting me Know. Goodbye"
"Bye" replied Mrs Evans
Sally put the phone down and went back to feed Liam.
There was a knock on the door.
"Keep an eye on your brother for me" Sally asked Bradley
Sally hurried towards the door, wrapping her jumper around her shoulders.
Opening it, a blast of cold air brought in a flurry of snow.
"Come in" Sally ushered the frozen looking girl inside.
Her cheeks were flushed red from the bitter wind that whipped the snow around the streets.
"Thanks for getting here so soon, it must be a nightmare out today."
"Oh it's no bother" she replied.
"Sarahhhhh" Bradley cried running towards her, flinging his arms around her waist, clinging on tightly and not letting go.
"Hiya," she ruffled his hair up.
"Bradley let Sarah get her coat and gloves off" Sally spoke in a stern tone.
"He's alright, how's my little Power Ranger?" Sarah asked him
"I'm fine" he pretended to use his school jumper as a cape, dancing around the room swooping and making robotic noises.
"8:15, look I've really gotta go" Sally looked at her watch.
Grabbing her coat and scarf from the peg, Sally grabbed her keys from the kitchen table. She kissed Liam and wiped what was left of his breakfast from his mouth.
"Just give me a call if you need anything" Sally leant down to kiss Bradley.
"Be good"
"I will" he gave her a cheeky grin.
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