The self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström spent 20 hours trapped by snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway, describing the conditions as the worst in his 30-year career, according to The Local.
Since the 1990s, Nordström has operated his own road freight business. He mistakenly believed that the traffic would be cleared when he took the E22 on Wednesday and, along with approximately 1,000 other drivers, found himself stuck near Linderöd at around 1:45 PM.
“The cause of the traffic jam had occurred long before, so I assumed the police had already redirected the traffic,” the 58-year-old recounted. “But I didn’t consider it thoroughly. Had there been quicker thinking, this situation might have been avoided, and we wouldn’t have faced such long delays.”
As a blizzard struck the region, nearly 1,000 vehicles became stranded on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were sent to assist in evacuating individuals from their cars and in delivering food and water to those still trapped.
Nordström’s truck features a day cab, meaning he had no bed and had to sleep upright at the wheel. Despite this, he was better off than those in passenger vehicles. On his way to Lund in Skåne and then back to Olofström in Blekinge, he lacked food and medication, relying instead on assistance from others.
“There were various people around. I befriended a Dutch couple who helped me the next day. I mentioned I was very hungry, and they kindly invited me in for coffee and a sandwich,” he shared.
Throughout the night, he monitored the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on when the road would reopen. “The reopening time kept being postponed: first 8 PM, then midnight, then 2 AM, and finally 2 PM the next day,” he said.
Ultimately, around 10 AM, the Dutchman received assistance from a local farmer who cleared a three-meter-wide path through the snow, allowing them both to exit the motorway. They drove down the opposite lane with flashing warning lights until they reached a passable road.
“We both managed to get out through that opening, driving against traffic, but there was no risk as there was no traffic. If we hadn’t taken the initiative, we would still be stuck there,” Nordström added. Having primarily operated in Skåne and Blekinge, he had never experienced snow conditions like those encountered on Wednesday. “I’ve never faced anything like this in 30 years. The last time Skåne saw such severe weather was in 1979 when it was completely buried in snow,” he concluded.
