The self-employed truck driver, Niclas Nordström, spent 20 hours trapped in snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway, describing the experience as the worst in his 30-year career.
Unexpected Traffic Jam
Nordström, who has operated his own freight business since the 1990s, mistakenly thought the congested traffic would be cleared by the time he joined the E22 on Wednesday. Around 1,000 drivers, including himself, found themselves stuck near Linderöd around 1:45 PM.
Assumptions and Delays
“I presumed the police would have already intervened and routed the traffic elsewhere, but I didn’t think it through,” the 58-year-old told The Local. He felt that better judgment could have prevented the long queues.
Stranded Vehicles
As blizzard conditions swept through the region, up to 1,000 vehicles became stranded on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were called in to assist with evacuations and to provide food and water to those stuck.
Challenging Conditions
Nordström’s truck only has a day cab, leaving him to sleep upright at the wheel. Although he fared better than passengers in cars, he had no food or medication on board and depended on the kindness of others.
Seeking Help
During his ordeal, he befriended a couple from Holland who offered him coffee and a sandwich after he expressed his hunger. He spent the night checking updates from the Swedish Transport Administration about the road’s reopening.
Escaping the Situation
Originally expecting the road to reopen at 8 PM, the time kept being pushed back until 2 PM the following day. Ultimately, a local farmer helped the Dutch couple and Nordström clear a path through the snow, enabling them to escape by maneuvering against traffic until they reached a usable road.
Unprecedented Weather
Nordström, who primarily drives in southern Skåne and Blekinge, had never encountered conditions like those on Wednesday. “I’ve been driving for 30 years, and I’ve never seen weather this severe. There hasn’t been anything like this in Skåne since the snowstorm of 1979.”
