Updated

Authorities are investigating why a St. Lucie County firefighter may have removed a severed foot from the scene of a car crash.

Rescuers responded to the single-car accident on Interstate 95 near Port St. Lucie on Friday morning. The driver was flown to a hospital in critical condition. Authorities say he survived, but was missing a foot.

St. Lucie County Fire District Chief Ron Parrish says that after the man was taken from the scene, a firefighter apparently took the body part. Parrish called it "disturbing."

District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney says the foot was recovered and is now at the coroner's office pending an investigation. She would not say where the foot was found. The firefighter involved has not been named.