The self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström was stranded for 20 hours on Sweden’s E22 motorway due to heavy snow, describing it as the worst weather he’s faced in his 30-year career.
Unexpected Traffic Jam
Nordström, who has operated his own freight business since the 1990s, assumed that the traffic on the E22 would be cleared before he took the route on Wednesday. However, he, along with approximately 1,000 other drivers, became stuck near Linderöd around 1:45 PM.
Regrets Over Assumptions
“The cause of the congestion had occurred earlier, so I mistakenly thought the police had already rerouted traffic,” the 58-year-old told The Local. “I didn’t think it through enough. If there had been better decision-making, we wouldn’t have faced such extensive delays.”
Stranded Vehicles
As a blizzard hit the region, nearly 1,000 vehicles became trapped on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were called in to assist in evacuating drivers and delivering essential supplies like food and water.
Challenging Conditions
Nordström’s truck was equipped with only a day cab, lacking a sleeping area, forcing him to sleep sitting up at the wheel. Although he was in a slightly better position than those in regular cars, he had no food or medicine and relied on the kindness of others for assistance.
Unexpected Friendships
He met a Dutch couple who helped him the following day after he expressed his hunger. They invited him in for coffee and a sandwich, providing some much-needed comfort during the situation.
Frustrating Delays
Throughout the night, Nordström kept checking the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on road openings, only to see the times repeatedly pushed back—from 8 PM to midnight, then 2 AM, and finally to 2 PM the next day.
Resourceful Exit
Finally, around 10 AM, the Dutchman received assistance from a local farmer, who created a three-meter-wide opening in the snow. Together, they navigated out of the motorway, driving against the flow of traffic until they reached a clear road.
Unprecedented Conditions
Having primarily driven in southern counties like Skåne and Blekinge, Nordström remarked that he had never experienced snow conditions like those he faced on Wednesday, stating, “I’ve never encountered anything like this in 30 years. Such severe weather hasn’t hit Skåne since 1979.”
