The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said more than 50 responders came to the scene Monday night where a car hit a light pole on the Southside.
One of those responders, Captain Aaron Bebernitz, said in his 18 years as a firefighter, he's never seen a rescue like this.
It happened on Gate Parkway near Southside Boulevard at around 9 p.m.
Now, there is a new light pole in the same spot, but there is still see debris, broken glass and car parts left behind. It took more than 40 minutes to get the driver out of the car because he was trapped under the light pole.
"Initially, we had to cut the front end of the pole off with a K-12 circular saw," said Capt. Bebernitz.
The one person inside the car was trapped. The pole was crushing the man's lap and lower body.
"Once I declared that there was somebody entrapped on the radio and that I needed additional support, units that weren't even dispatched to the call -- that wouldn't even be dispatched to the call -- actually picked up the radio and said we're going to be en route," said Capt. Bebernitz.
First responders worked together to remove the pole, then the roof of the car, then the steering wheel, which all stood in the way of getting the man out.
"We don't do it for glory, for glamour, for any accolades or any thanks," said Capt. Bebernitz. "We do it because this is what we're called to do."
Capt. Bebernitz said it's a miracle the man wasn't killed on impact. "The fact that somebody lived after such an atrocity, such a terrible wreck, a tragedy, that's all I need to go home at the end of a shift."
The driver’s name has not been released, but First Coast News is still working to find out how he is doing. His injuries were serious when he was transported to the hospital. FCN requested a crash report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, which could have more information on the cause of the crash.