Japan snowstorm traps 3,000 vehicles in 23km traffic jam on highway over New Year
New Year return rush traps drivers on the Sanyo Expressway in Hiroshima, causing distress and triggering a wave of emergency calls
Lanes were subsequently closed on the Sanyo Expressway between Hiroshima Prefecture, where the incident happened, and neighbouring Yamaguchi Prefecture, but they reopened on Saturday afternoon, West Nippon Expressway said.
The traffic jam hit as some drivers were returning from visits to their hometowns for the New Year holidays.
An emergency call was received at around 7.20pm on Friday, saying that a car with normal tyres got stuck in snow on a section of the Sanyo Expressway in Hiroshima Prefecture, according to local police.
People from at least four vehicles made similar calls after getting stuck in the same area, police said.
A man in his 30s trapped in the traffic jam called for an ambulance complaining of ringing in the ears, dizziness and nausea. He was taken to hospital, local firefighters said.