As a winter storm ices over North Texas roads, an unexpected rescue team has emerged from the unlikeliest of places — a custom off-road shop in Weatherford where beefy trucks built for recreation have become lifelines for stranded healthcare workers.
Kevin Barwell and his crew from Trendsetter Customs have spent days shuttling nurses to and from hospitals, navigating treacherous hills and frozen roads that have paralyzed conventional vehicles across the region. “Everybody needs help in a bad time. And this seems like a bad time,” Barwell explained to reporters while preparing for another rescue mission.
The volunteer effort began Friday and hasn’t stopped since, with Barwell’s team coordinating rides for hospital shift changes at 6 a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m. — critical times when healthcare workers must reach their posts regardless of road conditions.
Heroes Behind the Wheel
For Mikki Sells, a nurse who found herself in a terrifying situation while trying to drive home, Barwell’s team arrived just in time. “Last night, we didn’t make it. We got to the very top, and we got stuck on the very top, started sliding backwards. It was so scary,” she recalled, the fear still evident in her voice.
What motivates someone to spend countless unpaid hours rescuing strangers in dangerous conditions? For Barwell, the answer lies in his past. “I served 20 years in the military, so I know what it’s like to be in a bad situation,” he shared, downplaying his efforts with the modesty typical of those who serve others.
The schedule is grueling. Barwell described a typical day: “Saturday, my day started at 5 a.m. I had to start delivering nurses at the 6 a.m. shift change. And then in between that, I was pulling people out. And then the 2 p.m. shift change and then the 10 p.m. shift change.”
Essential Workers, Essential Transport
Ever wondered why nurses would risk traveling in such dangerous conditions? The answer is simple but profound.
“You know, we’re nurses. We have to be there to help people. Without us, you know, they wouldn’t have anybody. So it’s what we have to do,” one healthcare worker stated, highlighting the unwavering commitment that drives medical professionals even through ice storms and perilous roads.
The volunteer drivers use their personal vehicles — modified trucks and SUVs equipped with four-wheel drive, higher clearance, and specialized tires. These machines, typically the pride of weekend off-roading enthusiasts, have found an unexpected but vital purpose during the winter emergency.
Sells, grateful for her rescue, expressed what many healthcare workers feel toward these unexpected heroes. “I’d love to give him a big old hug. Thank you so much. I hope you get the recognition you deserve,” she said of Barwell.
As North Texas continues to grapple with icy conditions, these off-road volunteers demonstrate that sometimes the most essential vehicles aren’t ambulances or police cars, but whatever can safely navigate the ice — even if it comes with a lift kit and mud tires.
