A FedEx driver dumped hundreds of packages into an Alabama ravine right in the middle of the holiday season rush, authorities said.
The driver, who wasn’t identified, made at least six dumps and made FedEx a victim of six separate theft of property cases, Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said on Facebook.
“As of right now we are looking at around 450 individual victims, some in Blount County some not, that investigators are attempting to work their cases,” Moon said. “This will not be an easy or fast case to close.”
Moon called the situation “the FedEx debacle” in another post.
The sheriff’s office first announced on Nov. 24 it had found “300-400 boxes of assorted sized” dumped at a location. FedEx sent multiple trucks and drivers “from all over the South” to load up the packages.
Photos showed workers recovering unopened packages many of which are damaged. Other pictures showed workers loading up packages into the back of trucks.
FedEx spokeswoman Rae Lyn Rushing said customers with questions or concerns about their shipments can get updates on the company’s Web site.
“We are appalled to learn of this incident and can confirm that efforts are immediately underway to retrieve and deliver the packages to their intended recipient,” Rushing said. “We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement during their investigation, including any criminal prosecution of, or civil action against, the individuals responsible.”
Authorities have questioned the driver, the sheriff said. Miles across the state in Chilton County, police found “20 or more” packages apparently dumped on a roadside, WVTM-TV reported.