A Beloved TV News Anchor Falls into a Ravine on Hike, Requires Daring Rescue
For decades, Carol Sbarge was a familiar face on WSB-TV, bringing news to viewers in Georgia. But her recent hike in Chattahoochee National Forest took a dramatic turn when she fell into a ravine with her boyfriend in September. The event led to a daring rescue mission by emergency responders.
Sbarge recalled the incident, saying, “So somehow, as I was kind of walking on the trail, my foot hit a rock. And before I knew it, I just went tumbling down this ravine.” The incident left her with a broken ankle in three spots, making it impossible to walk back up the steep ravine.
Initially, her boyfriend tried to call for help, but their remote location made it impossible to connect with emergency services. Another hiker, who was hiking on a nearby trail, came to their aid and alerted Habersham County Emergency Services. The crew had to hike two miles to reach the scene, where they used ropes and a helicopter to lift Sbarge out of the ravine.
The rescue was a unique and challenging operation for officials, as it required an airborne evacuation, a feat they hadn’t attempted before. Sbarge was airlifted to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery and was fitted with eight screws and a metal plate to repair her ankle.
Speaking of the rescue workers who saved her, Sbarge praised their bravery, saying, “They’re just special people. They’re putting themselves at risk. You know, every day they don’t know what kind of danger they’re going to face.”
