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PETROLIA–Provincial police are using snowmobiles and other vehicles to reach as many as 30 motorists stranded by snow squalls east of Sarnia.
The squalls have dumped as many as 50 centimetres of snow on Highway 402 east of the city, and along nearby Highway 21.
Police say they are making "good progress" in reaching the stranded drivers and are asking all other motorists to avoid the area.
One of the drivers stranded in a snow drift was a 70-year-old man who had been trapped in his vehicle since 2 a.m.
"He is fine, he is disoriented, he is being taken to hospital to be assessed," said Const. John Reurink.
"There is a prime example of why we tell people to stay off roadways."
Sgt. Dave Rektor said police are using snowmobiles, ATVs and large SUVs with four-wheel drive to get to the people.
"It's been quite a weather event and it's the only way to get to them right now until we can get the roads plowed," said Rektor.
He added that a farm tractor was pressed into service to assist an ambulance on a call in the Watford area.
Snow squall warnings remain in force from the Sarnia area north and east through Owen Sound, the Bruce Peninsula and Barrie and south through Chatham-Kent, Strathroy and the London area.
