Astrid has been standing here for almost eight hours: – It’s cold

Astrid Bardal’s car stopped at 16:00 on Monday. 7.5 hours later she was still standing there.

On Monday, there was severe snow chaos in Oslo and Bærum. This led to major traffic problems.

Many vehicles got stuck as a result of the weather, and the rescue services around have had a busy day.

So busy that they haven’t had time to pick up Astrid Bardal’s car.

The car stalled in Maridalsveien near Fredensborg in Oslo on Monday afternoon. She called Viking, but says she was eventually told that it could take up to six hours before the tow truck arrived.

– The last time I spoke to them, they said that the main roads had to be prioritized, which is understandable enough, Bardal tells VG just before 11.30pm.

Expensive

But why hasn’t Bardal gone home and left the car, you might wonder.

Yes, the explanation is quite simple. She says that a passing police patrol gave notice that the car could soon be towed away. It will possibly cost her NOK 5,000. Money she would rather not pay.

Bardal says she has thought about possible solutions, and that she has, among other things, been in contact with the Urban Environment Agency, but that she has not found anything that can guarantee that the car will not be towed.

VG has not yet come into contact with Viking.

Seven long hours

For the last seven hours, Bardal has mainly tried to keep moving. As a result of the engine problems, she does not dare to have the engine on. It smells of burning, she says.

– Right now it’s actually colder inside the car than outside. Now I walk a bit back and forth on the roads here to keep warm.

Passers-by have also helped Bardal.

– It was a nice young couple who wondered if they could help. They gave me a cup of coffee and a sandwich. At least there has been some food.

She is not sure how long Bardal stays at the car. She begins to understand that rescue will not come soon, and considers contacting the police.

– I really just want to hear what I should do. Soon I can’t stand here anymore, because it’s very cold. Either I have to stay here and hope the car doesn’t get towed, or I have to leave and quickly pay NOK 5,000. I don’t know what to do, says Bardal.

At 23:50, Bardal threw in the towel and asked a friend to pick her up. Then the only question is whether the tow truck or the car rescuers will arrive first.