A 15-year-old girl has died in the North-east as a 100-mile 'corridor of snow' and freezing temperatures grip the UK.
The unnamed girl was one of a group of teenagers on the north pier in Cullercoats Bay, in North Tyneside on Saturday evening who were hit by a large wave and washed into the sea.
The girl was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack but died there later that night.
The Met Office has issued 12 “be aware” yellow alerts for snow and ice across the country across Scotland, North-East England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and London.
Up to 10cm of snow has been predicted in certain parts of the UK with plummeting temperatures causing widespread ice and frost.
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service has also warned climbers and walkers in the Highlands that the risk of avalanches was high.
The Tyneside teenager’s three friends - a boy aged 15 and a boy and girl aged 14 - were also taken to hospital as a precaution but are said to be fine.
Northumbria Police said officers were called to the scene at 7:44pm and said the sea was “running high”.
Before the girl died, Chief Inspector Paul Knox said: "We need to remind people of the danger of the sea, particularly in the dark and cold at this time of year, when tides are high and people can be taken unawares by the strength of the waves and the inherent dangers of the sea.
"People should always be careful around water and if the sea is looking rough with waves pounding onto the pier, we would advise people to be particularly cautious and keep their distance."
The temperature in Cullercoats and along the Northumberland coast is currently below freezing.
Additional reporting by PA
