The CBS Evening News broadcast was interrupted on Wednesday, May 13, after a cameraman suffered a scary medical emergency while the program was airing from Taiwan.
Anchor Tony Dokoupil had to abruptly pause the segment.
“Is he okay? We’re going to take a quick break. We have a medical emergency here,” Dokoupil said on air.
Off camera, he was then heard saying, “We’re calling a doctor.”
CBS Releases Statement After Scary On-Air Emergency
Following the broadcast, CBS News released a statement, confirming the news and sharing an update on the cameraman.
“Tonight during the final segment of CBS Evening News, our cameraman on set suffered a medical emergency. Thankfully, he’s okay and recovering,” CBS Evening News posted.
Under CBS’ post on X, formerly known as Twitter, many people left heartfelt comments.
“Glad to hear he’s okay! I know it was scary for everyone,” one person wrote.
“So good to hear! We were worried watching the quick cutaway,” another person commented.
“So relieved to hear your cameraman is recovering. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile life can be. Wishing him a swift and full recovery,” someone shared.
Tony Dokoupil Became Permanent Evening News Anchor In January
GettyIn December, the network announced that Dokoupil, who is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, was named the permanent anchor of “CBS Evening News,” with his role officially beginning on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
“We live in a time in which many people have lost trust in the media. Tony Dokoupil is the person to win it back. That’s because he believes in old-school journalistic values: asking the hard questions, following the facts wherever they lead and holding power to account. Americans hungry for fairness will see that on display night after night,” CBS News’ editor-in-chief Bari Weiss said.
The president of CBS News, Tom Cibrowski, further explained how Dokoupil is “what everyone wants in an evening-news anchor — authentic, compassionate, unafraid,” adding that he “connects instantly, whether he’s talking with world leaders or with families navigating difficult news in their own backyards.”
Dokoupil was previously on “CBS Mornings,” where he co-hosted alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson since 2019.
“After 20 years in journalism, traveling through all 50 states and talking with people in hundreds of far-flung American places, I realize why a country this big needs a show this ambitious,” Dokoupil said in a statement from the network. “The strength of our nation is that we benefit from fair reporting and the open discussion of all ideas. For more than 60 years, the ‘Evening News’ has been a bedrock of that process. I’m honored to join a fearless team at this important moment, and with what I can promise is a commitment to trust and the plain truth.”
