Hundreds of undelivered packages found in Alabama ravine
The Grinch may have struck early in Alabama, where hundreds of shipping packages were found apparently dumped into a ravine.
FedEx employees scrambled to Blount County to begin loading the packages on multiple trucks on Thanksgiving morning, the local sheriff reported on Facebook.
“FedEx has sent multiple trucks and drivers from all over the south and will begin loading the packages as soon as the sun comes up,” Sheriff Mark Moon said on the social media site. “I will have a deputy on scene until the work is complete.”
The sheriff said it appeared that 300 to 400 boxes had been “thrown off” a ravine. “Hopefully we will have some answers soon.”
WBRC, a Birmingham television news station, reported the incident Wednesday, carrying photographs that showed boxes of various sizes and shapes — some damaged and some opened — strewn on a slope covered by brown leaves.
Blount County is north of Birmingham. FedEx did not answer a query about whether any of the packages were destined for Atlanta, less than a three-hour drive to the east.
The shipper did say in an emailed statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday that it was working with law enforcement to recover and transport the packages and to review the situation before taking “appropriate action.” The company shared a link to its package-tracking page for any customers with questions about their shipments.
On Monday, the company sent an update that said after its review “the individual involved is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx Ground.” Also, where possible, recovered packages were being delivered, the company added. “In the event of a damaged shipment, we will make every effort to work with the affected shippers to reach a resolution.”
About the Author
Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.
