The self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström found himself stuck in snow for 20 hours on Sweden’s E22 motorway on Wednesday and Thursday, describing it as the worst weather conditions he has faced in his 30-year career.
Unexpected Traffic Jam
Nordström, who has operated his own road freight business since the 1990s, realized his mistake when he assumed the blocked traffic on the E22 would have been cleared. At around 1:45 PM, he, along with approximately 1,000 other drivers, found himself halted near Linderöd.
Reflection on the Situation
“The cause of the backup occurred long before, so I thought the police would have rerouted traffic,” the 58-year-old told The Local. “I should have thought it through more. A bit of quick thinking could have prevented such long queues.”
Stranded Vehicles
During the blizzard, up to 1,000 vehicles were stranded on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were called in to assist with evacuations and to distribute food and water to those trapped.
Challenges Inside the Truck
Nordström’s truck is equipped with a day cab, meaning he had no bed and had to sleep upright while at the wheel. Despite this, he was better off than many stuck in passenger cars. He was en route to Lund in Skåne and then back home to Olofström but had no food or medicine.
Friendship in Adversity
While stranded, he met a couple from Holland who offered him food after he expressed his hunger. “They invited me in for coffee and a sandwich,” he recounted, appreciating their kindness during the ordeal.
Waiting for Updates
Throughout the night, he continually checked the Swedish Transport Administration’s website for updates on the road’s reopening, only to see the time continuously pushed back—from 8 PM to midnight, then 2 AM, and finally 2 PM the following day.
Creative Exit
Eventually, around 10 AM, a local farmer assisted Nordström and the Dutchman by clearing a three-meter-wide path through the snow. Together, they drove against the traffic lights down the opposite lane until they found a passable road. “Thanks to our initiative, we managed to get out,” added Nordström, who had never experienced such severe snow conditions in his career.
Unprecedented Conditions
“I’ve never encountered anything like this in my 30 years of driving,” Nordström said. “The last time Skåne faced such severe weather was around 1979 when the area was buried under snow.”
