At approximately 10:24 p.m. on December 13, 2025, Winter Haven Fire Department Engine 4 was involved in a motor vehicle accident while returning to its station after a call for service. The incident occurred at the intersection of Dundee Road and Overlook Drive.
Engine 4 was attempting to make a left turn from Overlook Drive onto Dundee Road with a green traffic signal when it was struck in the intersection by an SUV, resulting in significant damage to both the fire engine and the civilian vehicle. The fire engine was staffed with a crew of three firefighters at the time of the incident. All three firefighters were unharmed.
Immediately following the collision, the firefighters exited the apparatus and began providing emergency medical care to the driver of the SUV, who sustained critical injuries and was trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters performed extrication operations to safely remove the driver from the SUV. Due to the severity of the injuries, the patient was transported by medical helicopter to a local trauma center as a trauma alert.
The Winter Haven Fire Department is grateful that no firefighters were injured and commends the Engine 4 crew for their quick, professional response and dedication to patient care under extremely challenging circumstances.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash. No additional information is available at this time.
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
