A Canadian firefighter's John Deere tractor was a lifesaver dozens of times over when it served as a public safety tool during Ontario's recent snow storm, according to published reports.
The tractor belonging to Tim Williams, who also is a farmer, helped earlier this week by keeping open and easily passable a major route that connects a rural county and two hospitals. Williams got his farmer peers to assist firefighters by clearing the road of snow. They also kept an eye out for stranded cars and trucks.
Williams and his peers freed an ambulance that had become stuck by pulling it out. And they rescued 50 drivers and helped transport them to a local community center.
Because the road had been cleared, firefighters were able to drive snowmobiles, trucks equipped with 4x4 capacities, all-terrain vehicles and heavy fire trucks, which they used to make emergency medical calls. They discovered many people suffering from frostbite.
One hospital's medication supply was rapidly depleting as the storm neared its peak. The vehicle tasked with resupplying the hospital became stuck, as was a nurse traveling with that vehicle. Firefighters on snowmobiles then picked up the supplies and the nurse, safely delivery both to the hospital.
Firefighters opened a one-lane path for emergency vehicles by midday on Tuesday.
Deere tractor proves value as lifesaver
On top of serving as a durable farming tool, a John Deere tractor proved to be vital when parts of Ontario, Canada were snowed in.