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Augusta Health lockdown lifted; authorities report bomb threat ‘not credible’

Crystal Graham
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Updated, 10 p.m.

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has determined that the bomb threat call to Augusta Health Friday night originated from out of state.

There was no explosive material found on the Augusta Health campus.

According to ACSO, the bomb threat was received at approximately 5:10 p.m. The sheriff’s office and Augusta County Fire and Rescue responded, established a perimeter and evacuated portions of the building.

K-9 teams were brought in from the Virginia State Police and Albemarle County Police Department to assist with the search.

Normal operations at the hospital resumed at 8:01 p.m., according to ACSO.

 

Updated, 8:30 p.m.

Augusta Health has resumed normal operations after authorities determined there was “no credible threat” to the facility.

A thorough investigation was completed by authorities, according to a hospital spokesperson.

 

Original post, 7:15 p.m.

A bomb threat was made to Augusta Health in Fishersville by phone at approximately 5:30 p.m. tonight.

Law enforcement is on site and are conducting a thorough search of the main hospital.

As a precaution, EMS has been diverted temporarily to other healthcare facilities.

“The safety and security of our patients, staff and visitors are our top priorities,” according to a news release from Augusta Health. “Immediately upon receiving the threat, we activated our emergency response procedures and notified law enforcement authorities.”

Lifetime Fitness closed operations early due to the threat, according to its Facebook page.

Augusta Health said it is working closely with authorities to ensure a swift and safe resolution.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.