U.S. 27 turned into a high-stakes rescue scene Tuesday when a 50-year-old man was pulled from a burning car in northwest Miami-Dade and airlifted to a trauma center, authorities said. Firefighters battled the flames as medics worked to stabilize the driver and crews cleared space for a Miami-Dade Air Rescue helicopter to set down. Southbound lanes were shut while first responders worked the scene.
Rescue and response
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol responded late Tuesday morning to a vehicle fire at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Krome Avenue. Firefighters removed the 50-year-old man from the burning vehicle before knocking down the blaze. Troopers closed the roadway so a Miami-Dade Air Rescue helicopter could land and fly the man to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, according to Local10.
WSVN reported the victim suffered third-degree burns over roughly 90% of his body. Officials have not released his name or said what started the fire.
Where it happened
Sky 10 video showed the scorched car along North Krome Avenue at West Okeechobee Road in Hialeah Gardens, where crews had blocked the roadway and stalled traffic, according to Local10. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirmed to the station that one person was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. No other details were immediately available from first responders.
Roadway and safety context
The stretch of Okeechobee Road / U.S. 27 near Krome Avenue has been undergoing reconstruction and safety upgrades in recent years, including intersection realignments and added turn lanes intended to improve traffic flow and cut down on crashes, according to FDOT project documents. FDOT lists work at the SR-997 / Krome Avenue intersection as part of a broader Okeechobee Road corridor reconstruction effort that includes widening, signal and lighting upgrades and turn-lane improvements. The long-term goal is to reduce collisions along the busy route that links the western edge of Miami-Dade to inland communities.
Authorities have not released the cause of the fire or further medical updates on the victim, according to WSVN. Troopers and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue handled traffic control while investigators and medical crews worked the scene, and motorists in the area were advised to expect delays. We will update this article as officials provide additional information.
