On his way to mail a thank you gift Tuesday night, veteran WMC anchor Joe Birch was involved in a traffic accident and broke his neck.

Birch’s wife told the Memphis NBC-affiliate that the doctor who treated him following the accident indicated that it was the best possible kind of break a patient can have.  Birch did not suffer any other injuries and he will not need surgery.

Right now, it is unclear how long it will take him to recover.

Birch, who has been with WMC for over three decades, co-anchors the stations 5, 6, and 10 p.m. weeknights newscasts.

Viewers have been leaving well wishes for Birch on WMC’s Facebook page since the station reported on his hospitalization.

[WMC]