A homeless woman was discovered perilously close to freezing to death in bitterly cold conditions, with her life saved only by the swift actions of compassionate bystanders in Fort Worth, Texas. The dramatic rescue unfolded outside Evans Food Mart on Thursday, highlighting the severe risks faced by vulnerable individuals during winter weather extremes.
"Stiff as a Rock": A Chilling Discovery
Convenience store manager Faris Hussain made the alarming find when he spotted Bobbi, a regular customer, lying motionless in the snow. Hussain described her condition as profoundly distressing, noting she felt "stiff as a rock" and appeared frozen solid. Temperatures had plummeted to a low of 38°F that day, creating dangerously frigid conditions for prolonged exposure.
"When I heard her name, it was one of my good customers," Hussain told First Alert 4, explaining his immediate recognition and concern. Without hesitation, he and another customer rushed outside to attempt a rescue, braving the icy conditions themselves.
Dramatic Rescue Captured on Camera
Security camera footage captured the urgent moments as Hussain shuffled through the snow with Bobbi in his arms, carrying her to safety inside the store. As she gradually began to warm up, Bobbi expressed gratitude to Hussain and the other customers who had intervened. She revealed she had been outside throughout the entire night, exposed to the elements without protection.
Police and paramedics responded to the scene between 9am and 10am, transporting Bobbi to hospital for emergency medical attention. Her current condition remains unknown, according to CBS reports, though the prompt rescue likely prevented more severe consequences.
Community Heroism During Winter Crisis
Hussain, who knows his regular customers well, demonstrated consistent compassion beyond this single incident. "If they come here on the daily I know them," he explained to WFAA, emphasizing his commitment to helping those in need within his community. His actions extended to allowing another homeless man named Marlon to warm up in the store amid treacherous snow and ice conditions.
"I was falling down and felt like I was going to die," Marlon recounted, underscoring the life-threatening nature of the weather conditions for those without shelter.
Though hailed as a hero for his actions, Hussain remained characteristically modest. "I don't really consider myself a hero or nothing but we do this on the daily for our community," he stated, reflecting a philosophy of ongoing support for vulnerable residents.
Broader Context of Winter Emergency
The rescue occurred just days before a significant winter storm sent temperatures plummeting further and wreaked havoc across the United States over the weekend. In Fort Worth specifically, temperatures dipped as low as 15°F according to AccuWeather, creating even more dangerous conditions for unhoused individuals.
Medical experts warn that prolonged exposure to such low temperatures can cause hypothermia, frostbite, or cardiovascular strain - all potentially fatal conditions without immediate intervention.
Systemic Responses to Homelessness Crisis
Fort Worth has organized warming stations and overflow shelters for its more than 2,000 unhoused residents, WFAA reported, though individual stories like Bobbi's demonstrate how gaps in the system can still leave people dangerously exposed. Hussain's actions represent both extraordinary personal compassion and a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges facing homeless populations during extreme weather events.
The incident serves as a powerful testament to community vigilance and the life-saving difference that immediate intervention can make when vulnerable individuals face weather-related emergencies.
