The self-employed truck driver Niclas Nordström found himself stranded in snow on Sweden’s E22 motorway for 20 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, describing it as the worst weather he has faced in his 30-year career.
Unexpected Blockage
Nordström, who has been running his own road freight business since the 1990s, admitted he assumed the traffic block would be cleared when he took the E22 on Wednesday. Around 1,000 other drivers also realized the error when they became stuck near Linderöd at around 1:45 PM.
Regrets Over Assumptions
“The reason for the jam had occurred much earlier, so I just figured the police would have stopped the traffic and redirected it,” the 58-year-old told The Local. “But I didn’t think things through. If there had been quicker decision-making, the long queues could have been avoided.”
Blizzard and Stranded Vehicles
As a blizzard battered Sweden, up to 1,000 vehicles were left stranded on the E22 between Hörby and Kristianstad. The Armed Forces were called in to assist in evacuating stranded individuals and delivering essential supplies like food and water.
Nights in the Cab
Although Nordström was better off than those in passenger cars due to the day cab of his truck lacking a bed, he had to sleep upright at the wheel. On his way to Lund and later home to Olofström, he had no food or medication and had to seek help from fellow stranded motorists.
Kindness in Difficult Times
He bonded with a couple from Holland who assisted him the next day. “I was really hungry, so they invited me for coffee and a sandwich,” he shared. Throughout the night, he monitored the Swedish Transport Administration’s website, finding updates on the road opening time continually pushed back.
Creative Escape
Ultimately, around 10 AM, the Dutch couple and Nordström received help from a local farmer who cleared a passage in the snow. They drove their vehicles down the opposite lane, flashing their warning lights, until they found a road they could use.
Unprecedented Conditions
According to Nordström, he has seldom encountered such extreme snow conditions in southern Sweden. “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my 30 years of driving. The last time Skåne saw such severe weather was in 1979 when it was completely buried in snow,” he noted.
