Injured Reporter Will Lose Most of Her Left Arm

Doctors said Friday they will have to amputate most of the left arm of KABC television news reporter Adrienne Alpert, who suffered fourth-degree burns in a freak accident earlier this week.

The announcement came after a four-person surgical team amputated the middle finger of Alpert’s right hand and the big toe of her left foot. During the 100-minute procedure, dead and devitalized tissue also was removed from burn areas, which doctors said cover 25% of her body.

Alpert remained in critical but stable condition at the Grossman Burn Center at the Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center, said a hospital spokesman.

But given the extensive burn damage to her left arm, doctors said, the limb will be amputated Tuesday above the elbow when they remove more dead tissue from her body. There is a chance the 48-year-old could also lose her right hand and both feet, they added.

Alpert suffered fourth-degree burns Monday when the microwave antenna from the broadcast van she was in grazed or came near a 34,500-volt power line and sent electricity shooting through the vehicle.