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…