Hundreds of travellers who had intended to explore the Golden Circle yesterday were left stranded in Þingvellir National Park. The people were escorted to Reykjavík by snowplows when the weather had begun to improve late afternoon. Park Rangers spent the day assisting people, ensuring everyone was safe.
Read more: All major roads in W and S Iceland closed: 150 travellers in emergency shelter in Þingvellir
A park ranger, Einar Sæmundsen told the National Broadcasting Service RÚV that the roads to Þingvellir should be closed down earlier on days when the weather is expected to deteriorate and roads to become impassable. Yesterday the road from Reykjavík to Þingvellir was only closed late morning, allowing hundreds of people to embark on the Golden Circle before all roads became impassable.
Park Rangers counted 80-90 cars which were stuck around the main visitor center of the park, in addition to nearly 100 cars on the viewing point overseeing the park. The roads in the park were also littered with cars which were stuck in snow. The rangers have been running around the park all day, assisting people, Einar Sæmundsen told RÚV. Rangers also traced walking paths in the park to ensure there were no hikers in distress.
Einar told RÚV that many travellers were driving rental cars which were not equipped for winter travel. There were a number of cars stuck in the middle of the parking lot, because they were on summer tires. Many travellers appeared to have been unaware of the storm heading their way. Einar wondered whether roads shouldn't be closed down earlier in the morning to ensure people don't head out for the road only to get stuck in snow.
Hundreds of travellers who had intended to explore the Golden Circle yesterday were left stranded in Þingvellir National Park. The people were escorted to Reykjavík by snowplows when the weather had begun to improve late afternoon. Park Rangers spent the day assisting people, ensuring everyone was safe.
Read more: All major roads in W and S Iceland closed: 150 travellers in emergency shelter in Þingvellir
A park ranger, Einar Sæmundsen told the National Broadcasting Service RÚV that the roads to Þingvellir should be closed down earlier on days when the weather is expected to deteriorate and roads to become impassable. Yesterday the road from Reykjavík to Þingvellir was only closed late morning, allowing hundreds of people to embark on the Golden Circle before all roads became impassable.
Park Rangers counted 80-90 cars which were stuck around the main visitor center of the park, in addition to nearly 100 cars on the viewing point overseeing the park. The roads in the park were also littered with cars which were stuck in snow. The rangers have been running around the park all day, assisting people, Einar Sæmundsen told RÚV. Rangers also traced walking paths in the park to ensure there were no hikers in distress.
Einar told RÚV that many travellers were driving rental cars which were not equipped for winter travel. There were a number of cars stuck in the middle of the parking lot, because they were on summer tires. Many travellers appeared to have been unaware of the storm heading their way. Einar wondered whether roads shouldn't be closed down earlier in the morning to ensure people don't head out for the road only to get stuck in snow.
