German police said an unexpected return of heavy snowfall overnight caused almost 500 traffic accidents, killing one person and injuring at least 51. Police in the western state of North Rhine-Westfalia said on Saturday that officers were called to 337 accidents that left at least 45 people injured, AP reported. Near the city of Wolfenbuettel a driver lost control over his vehicle on an icy road, heavily injuring himself and killing a passenger. In Bavaria, police reported more than 150 accidents with at least six people injured. Thousands were stranded in traffic jams across the country. On a highway close to the city of Wuerzburg, traffic queued up for 22 miles (35 kilometers).