A Hamilton County snowplow driver, Joe Estes, cleared a safe lane and escorted an ambulance carrying a critically ill infant, Bryson, through heavy snow and poor visibility in the Cincinnati area. The call for help came around noon Sunday; Estes met the ambulance on Interstate 71 and led the convoy between hospitals to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The Ohio Department of Transportation praised his quick action, and officials later said the infant is doing well. Estes has downplayed the attention, calling himself "just a truck driver."
Snowplow Driver Clears Path for Ambulance, Escorts Critically Ill Baby Through Fierce Cincinnati Storm
Snow Plow Driver Making Way for AmbulanceOhio Department of Transportation/Facebook
A Cincinnati-area snowplow driver, Joe Estes, quietly became a lifesaver during a major winter storm when he cleared a safe lane for an ambulance transporting a critically ill infant.
Plow Leads Ambulance Through Whiteout Conditions
Video shared by the Ohio Department of Transportation shows a Hamilton County plow pushing through heavy, falling snow while an ambulance followed closely in its cleared lane. The request for assistance came around noon Sunday as visibility plummeted and traffic slowed to a crawl.
Joe Estes with a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital workerOhio Department of Transportation/Facebook
Officials say Estes met the ambulance along Interstate 71, escorted it through snow-covered highways and city streets, and helped the crew reach Cincinnati Children’s Hospital after stopping to pick up the infant, later identified as Bryson. The Ohio Department of Transportation praised Estes’ quick response and sense of duty.
"To be a public servant is to embody the spirit Joe Estes showed this weekend," the department wrote.
Estes downplayed the attention when he reunited with the medical team, saying, "By no means am I the hero," and calling himself "just a truck driver." Transportation officials emphasized how critical the escort was, noting that snowfall had made travel near-impossible for many vehicles.
Officials later reported that Bryson is doing well. The viral footage and official post have highlighted how front-line public servants can make a decisive difference during emergencies.
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