POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Sunday evening on Crooked Lake turned into a race against time after a canoe carrying two men overturned far from the shoreline. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 8:04 p.m. from one of the boaters, who reported that he and his friend were stranded in the dark without life jackets.
The two men, both in their 20s, were found clinging to the hull of the capsized vessel. According to officials, the situation was complicated by dropping temperatures, total darkness, and the inherent risks of local wildlife. While deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) rushed to the scene, the men struggled to stay afloat as their canoe began to submerge.
During the emergency call, dispatchers noted that one of the men had begun coughing, signaling the onset of fatigue or water inhalation. To help rescuers pinpoint their location, one of the boaters used the flashlight on his cell phone to signal toward the shore.
Deputies Vasquez and Hall arrived at the lake and immediately sought a way to reach the pair. They made contact with a nearby resident who had a boat anchored just offshore. The resident agreed to assist, allowing the deputies and PCFR personnel to board the private vessel to launch a search operation.
From the bank, Sgt. Watson spotted the faint flicker of the cell phone light across the water and radioed directions to the rescue boat. The team successfully located the two men and pulled them from the water before the canoe sank completely.
The boaters were transported back to the shore, where medical personnel confirmed that neither man had sustained injuries. Both men declined further medical attention.
Following the rescue, the pair expressed their gratitude to the first responders and the local citizen who provided the boat.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office later emphasized that the incident serves as a critical reminder for all boaters to carry personal flotation devices, regardless of their swimming ability or distance from the shore.
READ: 2 Police Officers And Suspect Shot During Active Shooter Incident In Northwest Baltimore
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
