MARTIN COUNTY, FL – A deputy rushing to help an injured horse rider west of Stuart lost his patrol car to fire Sunday, according to sheriff’s official.
The deputy stopped his car in long grass that apparently caught fire from the heat of the automobile’s exhaust system about 11:30 a.m., said spokeswoman Christine Christofek. The fire destroyed the vehicle but didn’t set off some ammunition in the trunk, she said.
The estimated cost of the car and equipment in it wasn’t available, said Christofek, based on preliminary reports.
The incident was at the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area that is 15 miles west of Stuart and along State Road 714. It includes former cattle pastures. Martin County Fire Rescue put out the fire.
The name of the deputy hasn’t been released. The woman rider was hospitalized with what Christofek said were non life-threatening injuries.
© © 2017 Journal Media Group
If you have any problems viewing this article, please report it here.
