TV Newswoman to Lose Part of Foot

The KABC-TV Channel 7 news reporter severely burned last week when the microwave antenna of a broadcast van came near a power line will have to undergo a partial amputation of her right foot, doctors said Tuesday.

Adrienne Alpert, 48, who also underwent a nearly two-hour surgery Tuesday, remained in critical but stable condition at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center. A three-member surgical team removed dead tissue from burn areas and amputated her left arm at the elbow. Alpert is right-handed.

The next surgery is scheduled for Friday.

A hospital spokesman said staff psychologists are helping Alpert and her family.

“She’s one hell of a trouper,” Dr. Richard Grossman said. “She’s anxious to be active again.”

As is typical with such procedures, doctors remain on alert for signs of infection.

“She’s a little bit better than she was last week, but we’re still not out of the woods yet,” Grossman said.

Unions representing broadcasters and camera crews have called for an emergency meeting with stations to come up with uniform safety guidelines for news gathering in the field.

Alpert continues to breathe with the aid of a respirator, but doctors said that today they will switch her to a breathing apparatus that will allow her to talk.

In the coming months, doctors said, they may have to implant muscle from her abdomen into her right forearm, where muscle has died.

“She’s going to need more surgeries and more blood,” said a hospital spokesman.

To donate blood on Alpert’s behalf, call the hospital at (818) 557-5496.