KENTUCKY – A couple in their 60s has both lost an arm after their Kentucky home was devastated by a powerful tornado last week, their family confirmed.
A Devastating Loss
Paul and Gail Cline, from Laurel County, were sheltering in their bedroom when the tornado struck on Friday, May 16. According to their niece, Brandy Bowman, the couple was holding onto each other when the twister tore through their home. The doctors said the reason they lost opposite arms was due to the couple’s desperate attempt to protect one another, Bowman told NBC affiliate WLEX.
The storm left them severely injured, and neighbors quickly came to their aid after hearing the couple’s screams for help. The neighbor found them and managed to pull them into a hallway for safety.
A Harrowing Discovery
The family’s ordeal continued when a person searching for survivors in the neighborhood heard Gail’s screams and found her damaged arm down a hallway. “She said, ‘I need help. I see an arm down the hallway,’” Bowman recalled. That arm was later identified as Gail’s, which had been severely damaged due to the tornado’s impact.
Medical Condition and Fundraiser
Both Paul and Gail were rushed to London Hospital, where they are receiving medical care. A GoFundMe page set up to help with medical expenses describes Gail’s condition as critical. She is on life support after suffering a punctured lung due to rib fragments.
As of now, Paul’s condition has improved, but he suffers from dementia and is struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
“They are two of the best people you could ever find,” said their niece, Taylor Baker. “My aunt’s daughter also has stage 4 cancer, so they were already battling that before this hit. They need all the help and prayers they can get.”
The Impact of the Tornado
The deadly storm took a devastating toll on Kentucky. Around 19 people were killed, with many victims hailing from Laurel County, as reported by the Associated Press. The National Weather Service classified the tornado that struck London, Kentucky, as an EF-4, a violent and extremely dangerous storm.
Community Support and Gratitude
Baker expressed immense gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support in the wake of the disaster. “To my friends who showed up with trucks and trailers and drinks and who were ready to help in any way they can, I will never be able to explain to you what it meant to me,” she said in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Despite the family’s heartbreaking situation, Baker noted that the outpouring of help from the community was a source of great comfort. She added, “To the strangers who dropped food and drinks and supplies and helped carry and load, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
As the Clines continue to recover from the trauma, their family is asking for continued prayers and support during this unimaginable time.
Source Attribution
- WLEX NBC affiliate
- GoFundMe fundraiser updates