Melt's gruesome bounty

Three men attempt to free an automobile from the snow on New York's Upper West Side. Photo / AP

The snows that have covered the northeastern United States for the past six weeks are melting, revealing oozing lumps of garbage, gaping potholes, bicycles, rat-infested sofas, discarded Christmas trees - even bodies.

More than 145cm of snow has fallen on New York City this winter. Two bodies were found in vehicles last week. In both cases, a passerby spotted someone slumped over the wheel after snow melted away from the windows.