A woman and baby were rescued by firefighters after their car slid down a reservoir embankment.
Firefighters and a technical rescue unit were mobilised after the car skidded down the embankment next to Saddington Reservoir at 10.20am yesterday.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the woman and the baby were not physically trapped but needed help because of the conditions.
The child was rescued from the car shortly before 10.50pm, and the woman was helped out soon afterwards.
Fire crews used a thick, 30-metre-long rope attached to a fence and a tractor to secure the vehicle, which had come off Mowsley Road.
Watch manager Rich Featherby, of Wigston fire station, said: "The car came off a track around the reservoir. The weather conditions were quite severe out there and the car slid off the track down the embankment towards a field, not the reservoir.
"It was at about 45 degrees. It would be enough to topple the car and if it had rolled over, it would have gone into the field.
"It was too steep for the woman to get herself or the little girl out.
"We secured the car in position using a 30-metre general purpose line – a thick rope round the front wheels and the post between the front and rear windows.
"A tractor with a telescopic arm was in the area and we flagged it down.
"The telescopic arm was suspended above the car and we used it as a an anchor point for another line. We had to walk the last 100 metres because the track didn't like 12 tonnes of fire engine on it.
"The woman and the baby girl, who was about a year or 18 months old, were a bit upset but otherwise fine.
"It would have been difficult for them to get out of the car and up the embankment.
"The track is in constant use, but it is probably advisable not to use it while the ice is still around."
East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics on the scene checked over the woman and baby.
Residents said they believed the track, part of which is a gated road from Saddington to Gumley, had been closed off since Monday because of the treacherous conditions.
A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear about this lady's accident and are pleased to hear she and the baby are okay. Strong winds have meant drifting snow and ice has been an issue in parts of the county and we would urge people to take extra care when driving, particularly on rural roads."
