Hosiery salesman’s snowdrift survival
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It claimed three lives, disrupted road and rail links, closed schools, caused power failures and resulted in people queuing for bread.
But, amid the tragic consequences of that terrible snow storm 35 years ago, there emerged a remarkable, heart-warming story which made headlines around the world.
Billy Sutherland, who worked as a supervisor with Alexander Sloan and Co in Wick, was trapped in his car in a snowdrift near the Ord of Caithness for over 80 hours. He left the High Street shop on the morning of Saturday, January 28, and was heading for Helmsdale to cover for a colleague who was ill.
When 63-year-old Mr Sutherland left Wick the weather conditions were not bad but got worse as he headed south. By the time he reached Ousdale his car, along with a number of other vehicles, became stuck in snow drifts.
Conditions deteriorated and Mr Sutherland’s Mini Clubman was buried under about 15 feet of snow. Hopes of finding him alive were fading when a party of seven policemen, using long poles to probe the snow, discovered his car three-and-a-half days after he set off.
He was taken to the Lawson Memorial Hospital in Golspie but was found to be none the worse for his terrifying ordeal.
"I had no food but used melted snow to get water. I made a hole through the snow to get air. I slept most of the time and kept calm. I thought people would be searching for me but I was lucky to get out alive," said Mr Sutherland afterwards.
The ex-Gordon Highlander also revealed how he managed to keep warm in the desperately cold conditions. He was wearing an overcoat and a wool-lined anorak and jacket underneath. As a commercial traveller he had boxes of women’s hosiery in the back of the car.
"When I was getting cold I split a pair of tights and wrapped them round my legs. The engine cut out as soon as I hit the drift and I think that was the best thing that could have happened as I might have been suffocated by the exhaust," he stated.
Mr Sutherland, a single man who lived in Henrietta Street in Wick, was confident someone would get him out. "There’s no use giving up hope," he added.
After his ordeal and stay in hospital, Mr Sutherland was flown back to Wick in an RAF helicopter where he received a tumultuous welcome from colleagues, friends and family, including his twin sister, Alice More.
"The whole town is delighted he is alive. Everyone has been asking for him. He is known locally as Billy Sloan because he has worked for Alexander Sloan and Co for so long. We can’t wait to see him," she said.
There was also joy for 70 people who were trapped on a train in the Forsinard area. The train derailed in the snow and the passengers huddled together in one coach for a night until two helicopters airlifted them to safety in a dramatic rescue.
But, sadly, not everyone was so lucky. Three people tragically died after their cars became entombed in the snowdrift near the Ord.
Mr and Mrs James Bruce from Forss Road in Thurso died in their vehicle. The young couple had three children – twins of 13 and a boy of seven.
Mr Bruce was well known locally. He was a Cub Scout leader with the 1st Scrabster Sea Scouts and a founder member, former secretary and area delegate of Thurso Round Table. His wife Chris played badminton for Viewfirth Ladies.
Another victim of the snow storm was George Cameron, who was the general manager of the Norscot Hotel Group. He lived in Dingwall and was on his way south after a visit to the Royal Hotel in Thurso. He was accompanied by his pet dog Scottie who was trapped with him in the car but managed to survive.
Mr Cameron, who was in his 30s, was in charge of the five hotels in the Norscot group, including the Royal in Thurso.
