A FREAK frost in the Hereford area claimed 16 victims on Tuesday morning.

That is the number of people treated in the accident and emergency department at the County Hospital in a short early morning period.

Most were walking casualties with others involved in road traffic accidents.

Their injuries ranged from sprains, bruises and broken ankles.

Pedestrians were caught out by black ice as they slithered and slipped on the pavements on their way to work or school.

As many went down on their backs, recovered and went on as those who needed hospital treatment.