Snowstorm Rescue: Veteran Frees 20,000-Pound Ambulance with Patient Inside

After an ambulance carrying a patient stalled in deep snow on a cold evening in Springfield Township, Ohio, a neighbor with military experience grabbed a tow strap.

Brandyn Longhauser, identified locally as a U.S. Air Force veteran, used his Toyota Tacoma to pull a 20,000-pound ambulance free after heavy snowfall at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 26 after it was trapped on a residential street, according to local FOX19 NOW.

Longhauser first reportedly tried digging the vehicle out before securing the strap and hauling it to clearer pavement so paramedics could resume transport. Fire officials said the assist allowed crews to move the patient during hazardous winter conditions.

“I’m very community-driven,” Longhauser told FOX19 NOW. “They’re there to help us. I just wanted to help them.”

Chief Randy Miller of the Springfield Township Fire Department told the network that Longhauser saw local first responders needing aid and he provided it. about the incident.

“We appreciated his help," Miller said. "It allowed the crew to resume patient transport safely.”

Military.com reached out for comment to Longhauser and Springfield Township fire officials.

Snow Stops Emergency Response Cold

Flashing emergency lights cut through falling snow as the ambulance sat immobilized on a neighborhood road, according to the report. Accumulation covered untreated residential streets across Hamilton County as winter weather moved through southwest Ohio, limiting traction and visibility.

A shovel was the first attempt, though the vehicle did not move. A tow strap and a Toyota Tacoma did the trick.

Ambulances can weigh between 14,000-20,000 pounds depending on equipment and onboard medical gear. That weight stabilizes patient care but reduces traction when snow and ice build quickly on secondary roads. Even modest inclines or packed drifts can halt forward movement.

The National Weather Service's Wilmington, Ohio, office reportedly warned of hazardous travel conditions across the region as snowfall continued and advised drivers to expect slick surfaces and limited stopping ability.

Seconds matter during medical transport. Crews worked to free the vehicle as snow continued to fall.

Officials did not release details about the patient’s condition, citing privacy considerations.

When Training Takes Over

Snow kept falling. The ambulance remained stuck. Longhauser did not wait.

He described the moment not as heroic but morally imperative.

“It just felt like the right thing to do,” he said.

Military training emphasizes situational awareness, risk assessment and rapid decision-making. Those skills can translate into civilian life during fast-moving events, similar to winter safety guidance that advises motorists to stay with their vehicle, conserve fuel, and maintain emergency supplies if stranded during severe weather.

Major winter systems have also required broader military support when local resources are stretched thin. In past storms, National Guard units were mobilized across multiple states to rescue stranded motorists and assist civil authorities as snow and ice paralyzed highways.

Springfield Township officials routinely urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to allow emergency vehicles room to maneuver on snow-covered roads. Untreated residential streets can become impassable even when primary roads remain open.