DUNKIRK Dec 11, 2009 — Troopers and sheriff’s deputies on ATVs and snowmobiles have rescued the motorists stranded all night on the New York State Thruway, still closed from Dunkirk to the Pennsylvania State Line by blowing and drifting snow.
As many as 100 people were stranded in their cars and trucks when howling winds and blowing snows closed the Thruway here at the Route 60 exit at 1:30 a.m. today.
Thruway snowplows were able to plow a path through a U-turn lane and had people drive east to the exit here.
As many as 100 people were stranded in their cars and trucks when howling winds and blowing snows closed the Thruway here at the Route 60 exit at 1:30 a.m. today.
Thruway snowplows were able to plow a path through a U-turn lane and had people drive east to the exit here.
“We’re getting people U-turned” said Capt. Michael P. Nigrelli, who is leading the rescue efforts for the State Police. “We’ve made good progress.”
Despite the progress, there are no immediate plans to reopen the Thruway, as blowing and drifting snow remain a problem. Dozens of abandoned cars and trucks remain alongside the roadside starting at Angola. “It’s not expected to open tonight if the weather stays the way it is,” Lt. Eugene Staniszewski said.
Despite the progress, there are no immediate plans to reopen the Thruway, as blowing and drifting snow remain a problem. Dozens of abandoned cars and trucks remain alongside the roadside starting at Angola. “It’s not expected to open tonight if the weather stays the way it is,” Lt. Eugene Staniszewski said.
Nigrelli said troopers, Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies, and officers from the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement on snowmobiles, ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles combined to check on the stranded motorists.
“Obviously, people are in great discomfort,” Nigrelli said of those who spent the frigid night in their cars and trucks. "The only vehicle that pulled out of line and made it through the snowdrifts was a Hummer that had those tires you see on monster trucks. We saw him take two people from a car, and stop and talk with several others before he turned around went through the deep snow in the median and headed the other way." Mary Williams of Buffalo said.
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