Haines City and Polk County firefighters rescued a driver who had slammed into the rear of a semi-truck and was trapped underneath early Wednesday morning.
According to a news release from the city, the accident happened shortly before 4 a.m. in the southbound lanes of U.S. 27 near State Road 544. A four-door sedan in the middle lane crashed into and semi-truck and was wedged underneath the trailer, trapping the driver, identified only as an adult male.
Fire crews shut down traffic on U.S. 27 in both directions to allow emergency vehicles, including a medical helicopter, access to the scene. Haines City firefighters, with help from Polk County Fire Rescue, took 45 minutes to free the driver, who was then taken by helicopter to a regional medical center.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office took over the traffic investigation, and normal traffic flow was gradually restored.
The news release did not identify the driver nor provide an update on his condition.