Photographers Rally for Injured KABC Reporter
Television news photographers from every station in the city circled the Grossman Burn Center on Monday to show support for KABC Channel 7 reporter Adrienne Alpert, who is expected to have her left arm amputated today as a result of a freak accident.
Organizers said they wanted to let not only Alpert but Alpert’s photographer, Heather MacKenzie, know they care.
MacKenzie was helping position the microwave transmitter extending from a KABC van May 22 when it touched or came too close to a 34,500-volt power line, creating a power arc. An explosion occurred, sending electricity through the van in which Alpert was sitting.
“We understand this could happen to any one of us,” said Victor Cordero, a KCBS Channel 2 cameraman who came up with the idea. “Regardless of the number on our truck, we’re a family.”
More than 20 news vans--representing English- and Spanish-language television stations--drove around the burn center for 30 minutes while five news helicopters hovered above.
Many were on their day off and some even drove their own cars.
Alpert, who is in critical but stable condition, was told about the show of support, said a hospital spokeswoman.
Dr. Richard Grossman is scheduled today to amputate Alpert’s left arm above the elbow.
It has not been determined whether Alpert will lose her badly burned right hand or her feet, the spokeswoman said.
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