The self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström found himself stranded by snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway for a daunting 20 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, describing the ordeal as the worst weather experience of his 30-year career.
Unexpected Gridlock
Nordström, who has been operating his own road freight business since the 1990s, realized he had made an error in judgment when he embarked on the E22 on Wednesday. He, along with about 1,000 other drivers, became stuck around Linderöd at approximately 1:45 PM.
Assumptions and Realizations
The 58-year-old mentioned, “I assumed the police would have already redirected traffic since the road was blocked earlier.” He acknowledged that better foresight might have prevented such lengthy queues.
Emergency Response
As the blizzard raged on, up to 1,000 vehicles were caught on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were called in to assist stranded motorists by providing food and water and helping them evacuate their vehicles.
Uncomfortable Conditions
Nordström’s truck is equipped with a day cab, meaning it lacks a bed. Consequently, he had to sleep sitting upright at the wheel, although he had a slight advantage over those in passenger vehicles. He was en route to Lund in Skåne and then back to Olofström in Blekinge county when he became trapped, without food or medication in his truck.
Acts of Kindness
Among the stranded, he made a connection with a couple from Holland, who offered him coffee and a sandwich the following day after he expressed his hunger. As he waited, he frequently checked the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on when the road would reopen.
Innovative Escape
Ultimately, at around 10 AM, the Dutch couple received assistance from a local farmer who cleared a three-meter-wide path through the snow. They managed to escape the motorway by driving down the wrong lane, flashing their warning lights, until they found an accessible road.
A Record-Breaking Blizzard
Having primarily driven in the southern counties of Skåne and Blekinge, Nordström remarked that he had never experienced snow conditions like those on Wednesday. “I’ve never faced anything like this in my 30 years on the road. The weather in Skåne hasn’t been this severe since the major snowstorm of 1979.”
