The cold snap has kept hospitals busy, treating patients who have fallen over in ice and snow.

As the cold weather continues, staff at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford have warned people to take care on slippery roads and pavements.

Staff in accident and emergency reported a number of people being brought in to the hospital for treatment of injuries caused by slipping over on ice.

A spokesman for Mid Essex Hospitals Trust said: "The accident and emergency department has been very busy over the last couple of days with people who have slipped over on the ice or have fallen off bikes.

"The main problems have been broken bones, cuts and grazes."

He urged everybody to be careful and added: "People must remember that although the snow has stopped, there is still a lot of ice and they must be extra careful."

Colchester General Hospital has also been busy during the big freeze, having had ten casualties in by lunchtime yesterday with ice-related injuries.

Published Friday, January 10, 2003

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