Self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström found himself stranded for 20 hours due to heavy snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway, describing the conditions as the worst he has faced in his 30-year career, according to The Local.
Nordström, who has operated his own freight business since the 1990s, mistakenly thought the traffic blockage would be resolved when he embarked on his journey on Wednesday. Along with approximately 1,000 other drivers, he realized his error when he got stuck near Linderöd around 1:45 PM.
“I assumed that the police would have managed the situation, halting traffic and directing it away from the area,” the 58-year-old shared with The Local. “In hindsight, I should have thought it through better. A more proactive approach could have prevented the long queues.”
The blizzard left nearly 1,000 vehicles immobilized on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad, prompting the Armed Forces to assist stranded motorists by providing food and helping them evacuate their cars.
Nordström’s truck is equipped with a day cab that lacks a sleeping area, forcing him to sleep in an upright position. However, he noted that he was better off than those in regular cars. Traveling to Lund in Skåne and back to Olofström in Blekinge, he found himself without food or medicine and relied on the kindness of strangers.
While stranded, he connected with a Dutch couple who offered him coffee and a sandwich after he expressed his hunger. He spent the night checking the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on when the road would reopen, only to find the time constantly pushed back.
Finally, around 10 AM, the Dutchman received assistance from a local farmer who cleared a path through the snow. They managed to exit the motorway by driving in the opposite lane while flashing their warning lights until they reached a usable road.
“Both the Dutchman and I drove through the opening, going against traffic, but there was no danger as the road was clear. Our initiative is what got us out; otherwise, we would likely still be there,” Nordström reflected. As someone who primarily drives in Skåne and Blekinge, he admitted that he’d never encountered such severe snow conditions before. “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my 30 years of driving. The weather hasn’t been this bad in Skåne since 1979.”
