Two die, 47 hurt in bus mishap as icy conditions linger in U.K.

A young woman walks across a street covered in snow in Stockport northwest England on Tuesday. Severe winter weather continues to cause transport chaos in England. Photo: AP.

A bus overturned on an icy road in southwest England, killing two people and injuring 47 as freezing temperatures disrupted travel across Britain on Wednesday.

The bus had been returning from a trip to see Christmas lights when it veered off the road on Tuesday night, hit a tree and ploughed through a hedge before coming to rest on its side, police said.

One plane slid off the runway at a Scottish airport. There were delays and cancellations elsewhere.

The Ryanair flight skid off the runway after landing at Prestwick Airport outside Glasgow. Police said all the passengers were safely evacuated.

Dozens of flights out of London and Manchester were cancelled due to the weather, and airport operator BAA advised passengers to check with their airline before flying.

Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel, which have been paralysed for days due to the exceptionally cold weather, were gradually returning to normal. But the train company said service would remain restricted through Christmas Eve.

Deliveries of online shopping were also disrupted, with the Royal Mail warning that some orders may not arrive in time for Christmas.