8 Injured In Mass Casualty Pileup In Lake Wales

LAKE WALES, FL — On Thursday, Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a multiple casualty vehicle crash at the intersection of Chalet Suzanne Road and U.S. 27 in Lake Wales.

At 6:36 p.m., Polk County Fire Rescue along with the Lake Wales Police Department, the Lake Wales Fire Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Winter Haven Police Department responded to the scene of a vehicle crash involving eight victims, three of which were trauma alerts.

Due to the number of trauma alert patients, the crash was classified as a Level 2 Multiple Casualty Incident, requiring 12 Polk County Fire Rescue units to manage to the scene.

The Lake Wales Police Department is currently investigating the crash.

Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Hezedean A. Smith said the crash demonstrates the need for Polk County Fire Rescue to obtain a mass casualty transport vehicle.

“Polk County Fire Rescue recently secured a grant in partnership with Jennifer Brandow of the Florida Department of Health (Polk County) to add a mass casualty transport vehicle (bus) to its fleet,” said Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith. “The vehicle will be beneficial for multiple casualty incidents such as the crash that occurred yesterday. The unit will serve to support the region not only for mass casualty incidents but also in other cases where mass transport of patients is needed.”