Self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström found himself trapped in snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway for an exhausting 20 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, describing the conditions as the worst he has experienced in his 30-year career.
Unexpected Jam
Nordström, who has owned his road freight business since the 1990s, mistakenly believed that traffic would be cleared when he entered the E22 on Wednesday. Around 1,000 other drivers also realized the situation as they halted near Linderöd around 1:45 PM.
Assumptions and Reflection
“I thought the police would have already dealt with the blockage and redirected traffic,” the 58-year-old shared with The Local. “In hindsight, I should have thought it through more clearly. If I had, this wouldn’t have turned into such extensive delays.”
Stranded Vehicles
As the blizzard ravaged the region, up to 1,000 vehicles were caught on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were deployed to help evacuate stranded motorists and distribute food and water.
Challenging Night
Nordström’s truck is equipped with a day cab, offering no bed for sleep. He had to remain seated at the wheel, but he considered himself luckier than those in passenger vehicles. Though on his way to Lund and then back home to Olofström, he had no food or medicine, relying on assistance from others.
Kindness Amidst the Storm
During his ordeal, he befriended a Dutch couple who provided him with coffee and a sandwich when he expressed he was very hungry. Throughout the night, he checked the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on when the road might be reopened.
Frustrating Delays
Initially, he saw the reopening time set for 8 PM, then it moved to midnight, then 2 AM, and eventually to 2 PM the next day. Finally, around 10 AM, he and the Dutchman received help from a local farmer, who cleared a three-meter-wide path in the snow, allowing them to leave the motorway.
Escape Through Initiative
Both Nordström and the Dutchman drove out against traffic lights flashing, as there was little to no traffic around. “If it weren’t for our initiative, we would still be stuck there,” he said, reflecting on the severity of the conditions. Having mainly driven in southern Skåne and Blekinge, he had never encountered anything like the snowstorm he faced on Wednesday. “This is the worst I’ve seen in 30 years,” he remarked, recalling that conditions hadn’t been this severe in Skåne since 1979.
