Laurence Dollimore
HUNDREDS of soldiers had to be deployed in Spain last night to rescue people from their cars.
The resuce effort came after more than 3,500 motorists became stranded in their cars on a motorway in Castille, Leon and parts of Madrid.
“There are a lot of vehicles trapped on the AP-6 but we’re working bit by bit and kilometer by kilometer to get all of them as soon as possible, we are on it!” UME, the army’s emergency unit tweeted.
Confirmado! Km 75 #AP6 nos movemos!!! ??? Gracias!! pic.twitter.com/72cKv8TaK5
— Eugenia Marcos (@Eugenia_Marcos) January 7, 2018
Up to 44 miles of the motorway between Madrid and Segovia were blocked by snow due to an intense storm, according to reports.
Soldiers, firefighters and Red Cross workers distributed hot drinks and blankets, with some motorists saying they had not eaten since Saturday afternoon.
“Some cars have run out of gas. We are starting to get worried,” said Sara Ramos, who was stranded overnight with her husband, 6-year-old and 2-year-old.
Ya estamos todos despertando #AP6 #nevada pic.twitter.com/d8oeMJuK7Q
— Eugenia Marcos (@Eugenia_Marcos) January 7, 2018
“The children had the little food we brought with us, but since then they haven’t eaten anything else,” she said.
Some of the drivers complained that they weren’t given any information as they remained stuck in feet of snow.
One motorist, Carlos Trevino, claims he spent 13 hours stuck in his car with his wife after trying to drive home to Madrid.
“There are thousands of us here with no information,” he told El Pais.
“There’s been nothing, absolutely nothing. They’re not telling us what they’re doing on the radio or on the Internet – or what’s going to happen to us. We haven’t seen a snow plough for hours.”
