BARTOW, Fla. — A Polk County Sheriff's Office sergeant and a Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic were trapped when a utility pole fell on their patrol car on Sunday night.
Sgt. Chris Lynn and paramedic James Tanner Schaill were trapped for about two hours when the live power pole and electric lines landed on their car while they were driving on Lakeland Hills Boulevard near Robson Street.
The two had dropped off an elderly patient at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and were returning to north Lakeland.
Schaill and Sgt. Lynn were able to get out of the car around 1:15 a.m. Monday.
Lakeland Electric crews responded and disconnected the lines.
Both men have returned to work and continue to assist in hurricane recovery efforts.