Romanian prison inmates join the rescue mission to reach villagers trapped in their homes by three weeks of heavy winter snow.<br/> <br />They're working to clear schools, hospitals, and the homes of elderly people.<br/> <br />Entire houses are nearly engulfed by the drifts.<br/> <br />Grateful residents said the extra help was desperately needed.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Ion, local resident, saying (Romanian):<br/> <br />"The snow is over the roof of the house. I can get near the house but the electricity panel is on the wall covered with snow. I'm afraid the snow could fall and smash the wall."<br/> <br />Police said they had donated food and clothing and the prisoners too had given two days of their own food rations to help the trapped villagers.<br/> <br />In another village nearby some residents said they feared for their lives.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Unidentified resident saying (Romanian):<br/> <br />"I thought we wouldn't survive this, with all this snow around. Neighbours got us out of the house."<br/> <br />At least 86 people in Romania have been reported dead since the severe winter weather descended.<br/> <br />It's also closed four national roads and thousands of schools, and left many villages without power.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
