Ohio Snowplow Driver Clears Path for Ambulance to Rush Sick Baby to Hospital

ODOT worker Joe Estes sprang into action to help transport team get infant to critical care

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:55am

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A snowplow driver with the Ohio Department of Transportation helped clear snow-covered roads for an ambulance to get a sick baby named Bryson to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for a higher level of care. The transport team had called ODOT for help as the roads were nearly impassable due to a winter storm, and Estes cleared miles of roadway so the ambulance could safely get the infant to the hospital.

Why it matters

This story highlights the unsung heroism of everyday workers who step up in times of crisis to help save lives. Estes, a regular snowplow operator, didn't hesitate to go above and beyond his normal duties to ensure a critically ill baby could get the urgent medical care needed, demonstrating the kind of community-minded spirit that makes America great.

The details

Joe Estes, an ODOT snowplow driver, received a call about 20 minutes into his Sunday shift requesting help for an ambulance transport. A baby boy named Bryson needed immediate transport to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, but a winter storm had made the roads nearly impassable. Estes sprang into action, clearing miles of roadway so the transport team carrying Bryson could safely follow behind him to the hospital.

  • On Sunday, Estes received the call about 20 minutes into his shift.

The players

Joe Estes

A snowplow driver with the Ohio Department of Transportation who cleared snow-covered roads to help an ambulance transport a critically ill baby to the hospital.

Bryson

A baby boy who needed urgent transport to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Kelly Besl

Part of the Cincinnati Children's transport team that called ODOT for help clearing the roads.

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What they’re saying

“I got a phone call and they said, 'We've got a sick baby. We need to get there, but we're losing our window of time.'”

— Joe Estes, ODOT Snowplow Driver

“We knew roads would be impassable for an ambulance alone, so we called ODOT for help clearing the way.”

— Kelly Besl, Cincinnati Children's Transport Team

What’s next

The hospital has not provided any updates on Bryson's condition since he was transported there for critical care.

The takeaway

Estes' selfless actions to clear the roads and help get the sick baby to the hospital in time demonstrate the kind of community-minded spirit and willingness to go above and beyond that can make a real difference in people's lives. His story is a heartwarming reminder that there are unsung heroes all around us, doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do.