For two months, a man survived without food or water while trapped in a snow-covered car. And doctors are saying -- he might have hibernation to thank. First, MSNBC gives us a bit of background.


“A Swedish man was being treated in hospital Sunday after being dug out alive from his snow-buried car in which he had survived for two months with no food, according to police and local media.”


Reuters is reporting the man is 45 years old and that when he was found, he could only speak a few words at a time because he was so weak. The BBC reports he says he was stuck in the car starting December 19. So how did he live with no food?

“Police say the temperature in the area had recently dropped to -30C (-22F). … He may have survived by drinking melted snow. … The 45-year-old was discovered by snowmobilers who initially assumed the car was a wreck until they dug their way to a window and saw movement inside, reported [a Swedish newspaper]. The man was huddled in a sleeping bag on the back seat, said [a local policeman.]”

A doctor told Reuters -- he might have survived because his metabolism slowed down to an almost hibernation-like state. But another Swedish physician says it’s the quote “igloo-effect” that saved the 45-year-old.

“‘In the car he had very warm clothes, he had a warm sleeping bag, and as the car was snowed under, that would have made it more like an igloo, and down below the snow you would normally have a temperature of around zero...’”

No word yet on how he got stuck.