UPDATE 4:35pm:
Katelyn Hoverkamp, Public Information Officer for Polk County Fire Rescue, has offered the following statement:
‘On 1/1/25 at 2:40 p.m., Polk County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the Washington Ave/Northside Dr E intersection in Lake Wales in reference to a traffic collision.
“Upon PCFR‘s arrival, three pediatric patients were transported from the scene via helicopter. No additional injuries were reported and no additional patients were transported.
Polk County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) is investigating the vehicle collision.”
Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO on call has also confirmed that the situation involved juveniles on an ATV.
“They were airlifted due to their ages, but they are not critically injured.”
The PCSO Traffic Unit has not been dispatched to the scene; a sign that patrol will handle this incident as it’s not a serous bodily injury crash.
…
At approximately 2:40 pm on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, a traffic collision was reported near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Northside Drive E. in Lake Wales.
We have an unconfirmed report of a juvenile pedestrian or pedestrians being struck by a vehicle. There is a heavy police presence by both Lake Wales Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
At least one helicopter was observed, landing and taking off from Washington Park.
Lake Wales Daily has reached out to Lake Wales Police Department for comment.
As always, we will bring you the facts when we are able to confirm the information. Continue to avoid this area as law-enforcement conduct their investigation.
