The driver managed to survive for two months in freezing conditions in a snowed-in car like this

A man on a snowscooter spotted the top of the car on a deserted and snow-filled forest road, near the northern town of Umeaa.

"He saw movement and realised there was probably a person in there and called the police," said Ebbe Nyberg, a duty officer in the northern Vaesterbotten county.

He added: "They were amazed at what they found: A man in his mid-40s huddled inside in a sleeping bag "in really bad shape," starving and barely able to move or speak."

Temperatures in the area have recently plunged as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).

The man, who had not been reported missing and who has yet to say how he got stuck, appeared to have survived on nothing but snow since mid-December.

After being rescued, he was rushed to the Norrlands University Hospital. His current condition is unknown.