An 81-year-old man in the United States endured a week trapped in a car during a brutal snowstorm, surviving on croissants and candy. Rescuers eventually reached him and administered first aid, pulling him from the vehicle to safety.
When his destination remained unreachable, family members raised the alarm and enlisted the help of local rescuers. A fierce blizzard complicated the search, blanketing the area in white and limiting visibility. Six days into the ordeal, aerial teams spotted a car wedged in a snowdrift, offering the first clear sign of the retiree’s location.
During the search, a helicopter crew member initially mistook a large rock for the target, only to realize a car lay buried beneath the snow. A hand appeared at the window, signaling that someone was inside and in need of help.
Thankfully, the man survived the harrowing weekend, though he was ill-prepared for the cold. He wore only a light windbreaker and had minimal fuel in the car. He rationed heat by starting the engine only when temperatures dipped enough to warrant it, conserving fuel as the blizzard raged outside. He kept himself alive by nibbling on croissants and sweets he had packed, and by melting snow to stay hydrated, a simple but lifesaving tactic in the absence of regular water sources.
The survivor was taken to a hospital where doctors assessed his condition and provided care. After a period of observation, he was discharged to go home, where he could recover away from the snow and cold, with family support to aid in his recovery.
Meanwhile, a lighter, albeit equally curious, anecdote emerged from England: visitors reportedly spent three days in a snow-covered pub, continuing to drink beer and take part in karaoke. The scene offers a contrasting glimpse into how people cope with severe winter conditions across different regions.