Emergency crews and road safety officers in Udmurtia responded to a worrying incident on the highway when a truck driver was found sitting in a malfunctioning vehicle for an extended period. According to the regional directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the driver endured freezing conditions after his truck experienced engine trouble, leaving him stranded along the roadside for nearly two days. The situation highlighted the dangers of vehicle breakdowns in extreme cold and underscored the importance of timely assistance on remote stretches of major routes.
Responding officers on patrol along a section of the M-7 Volga highway discovered the stationary truck and approached cautiously. The crew spoke with the driver, who explained that a fault with the vehicle’s engine had left him unable to move or seek help. He remained inside the cab, where the temperature plummeted as the outside air dropped, and he did not make a request for medical attention at the time, leaving authorities to reassess his condition once help arrived. The driver’s decision not to seek immediate treatment was noted, though the reasons remained unclear to investigators and responders on the scene.
To ensure the driver’s safety, traffic police coordinated with rescuers and summoned an ambulance. The official response included providing warmth in the patrol vehicle and monitoring the driver closely as the emergency team approached. Once on site, paramedics evaluated the driver, who had suffered significant exposure to the cold. Medical personnel transported him to a hospital for treatment, where his limbs showed signs of frostbite and required professional care. The incident served as a stark reminder of how quickly cold exposure can escalate into serious injuries, even when someone intends to stay with their vehicle for safety rather than seek shelter elsewhere.
Officials stressed that the forecast for the region included dangerously low temperatures, with urban and rural districts alike expecting substantial cold swings. The ministry issued guidance for drivers to prepare for severe weather and to avoid unnecessary travel when conditions deteriorate. In case of road trouble, the advised course of action was clear: call the emergency number 112 for swift dispatch of help and to minimize exposure risks for everyone involved. The message was particularly urgent for motorists navigating the mountainous or sparsely populated routes where assistance may be delayed in brutally cold conditions.
In related developments, local authorities noted a separate incident in Kaspiysk involving a vehicle fire where rapid action helped save a life. A driver escaped serious harm after the Toyota Camry erupted in flames, underscoring the ongoing importance of road safety awareness and the immediate availability of emergency services across the region. Such cases collectively emphasize the need for preparedness, quick decision-making, and reliable communication with emergency responders to reduce the potential harm from vehicle malfunctions, fires, and other hazards on busy highways and rural byways alike.