Retired news anchor reportedly rescued after suffering freak accident
A beloved television news anchor from Georgia found herself in a dangerous situation when she fell into a ravine while hiking, leading to a daring rescue operation by emergency responders. Carol Sbarge, who had worked for WSB-TV for almost thirty years, was on a hike in September with her boyfriend in Chattahoochee National Forest when the incident occurred.
The peaceful hike quickly turned disastrous as Sbarge tumbled down a steep ravine after her foot hit a rock. She suffered three broken spots in her ankle during the fall, making it difficult for her to move or call for help. Her boyfriend attempted to contact emergency services, but their remote location hindered the call from going through.
Fortunately, another hiker came to their aid and hiked out of the trail to reach Habersham County Emergency Services. After a two-mile hike, the rescue crews arrived at the scene and used ropes and a helicopter to lift Sbarge from the ravine. This was the first time an airborne evacuation of a hiker had been carried out in Panther Creek Falls.
Sbarge was airlifted and transported 3.6 miles to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery requiring eight screws and a metal plate in her ankle. Despite the harrowing experience, she expressed gratitude towards the rescue workers for their bravery and dedication to helping others.
The Chattahoochee National Forest and the Habersham County Emergency Services have yet to comment on the incident. The successful rescue operation highlighted the importance of quick and efficient emergency response in remote and challenging environments.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, provided this information. For story tips and ideas, you can contact Sarah at sarah.rumpf@fox.com or on Twitter at @s_rumpfwhitten.
