Man found at bottom of embankment

By Charmaine Smith
Anderson Independent-Mail
7/20/2002

Anderson rescue workers found an unconscious man at the bottom of a 25-foot embankment near Bleckley Street on Friday afternoon.

Michael Browning, 48, was being evaluated in the Anderson Area Medical Center’s emergency room late Friday for injuries, the hospital’s patient care coordinator Jim Swart said.

Mr. Browning was taken to the hospital around 3 p.m. after he was found at the bottom of the embankment on Bleckley Street and pulled back up by the Anderson City Technical Rescue Team and workers with Medshore Ambulance Service.

Seven members of the rescue team rappelled down the embankment and, along with paramedics, pulled the man up to safety and transported him to the hospital, Anderson City Fire Capt. David Lorentson said.

Medshore paramedic supervisor Steve Kelly said he believed Mr. Browning was walking on a dirt trail to the side of Bleckley Street, on the city’s eastside, when he lost his footing and fell down the steep embankment.

He said workers had no idea how long Mr. Browning had been there or why he was walking the trail.

Mr. Kelly said the rescue team was called to the scene because of the threat that the man had suffered neck or head injuries in the fall. He remained unconscious throughout the rescue.

The man reportedly had several abrasions on his legs and body from the fall, Mr. Kelly said.

However, Mr. Swart said Mr. Browning didn’t suffer any serious injuries and would probably be released by today.