A DOTING couple’s arms were horrifically torn off while they desperately clung to each other as a tornado demolished their home.
The violent mile-wide tornado killed about 20 people as winds of 170 miles per hour smashed parts of Kentucky and Arkansas.
Doctors in Laurel County, Kentucky, said that Gail and Paul Cline had lost arms because they were clutching each other during the EF-4 tornado, reported NBC-affiliated Lex 18.
Gail is on life support after being placed under a medically induced coma in London Hospital.
Paul was also injured, but his condition has improved. However, because he has dementia, he remains confused about what happened, said their niece, Brandy Bowman.
She and Taylor Baker, another niece, told the broadcaster that their aunt and uncle were in their bedroom when the tornado struck.
They were trapped inside their home, which has been in the family for generations.
The couple’s screams for help were fortunately heard by a neighbor, who bravely entered the ruined home.
“He came to help them. He pulled them out into the hallway there,”;; said Brandy.
Taylor added that neighbors had been searching for survivors when they heard Gail’s screams.
“She said ‘I need help. I see an arm down the hallway’.”;;
Gail had spotted her own arm – which she didn’t realize had been ripped away during the tornado.
Brandy added, “The doctors said where they lost opposite arms is because they were holding each other.”;;
Filming of the aftermath revealed the house has lost its roof, and the couple’s bedroom only has two walls standing.
They both lost an arm and my aunt is still on life support. They are two of the best people you could ever find
Taylor Baker via GoFundMe
The walls looked like they had been struck by multiple bullets, as they were pocked with huge holes where large debris had punctured them.
“All I can’t get out of my head is just how terrified they both were,”;; said Taylor.
“I cannot imagine the fear that was going through their minds, but there’s one thing about them – they are godly people.”;;
The women are trying to clean up the house, which holds precious memories of their childhood.
“We grew up being babysat by our ma maw in this house. We played in all of these houses, we had dinner in all of these houses. It’s hard,”;; they added.
Incredibly, their aunt and uncle’s 12-year-old dog, Sadie, was discovered after the tornado.
The pooch had run away, but later returned and was found in a bedroom.
Entire neighborhoods were knocked down during the tornado which struck Laurel, Pulaski and Russell counties overnight between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Locals told the broadcaster that they were struggling to cope with the fact that neighbors had died, and the homes of those killed had been turned into a pile of rubble.
Seventeen of the 19 fatalities were from Laurel County.
HERO’S DEATH
Among the victims was hero Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman, whose first thought was to rush out and protect his wife.
Leatherman, 57, died while shielding his wife, Michelle, from flying debris, said Terry Wattenbarger, deputy chief of the Laurel County Fire Department, where Leatherman served as a major.
He was found on top of his wife, in a field about 100 yards (91 meters) from their destroyed home.
Michelle Leatherman survived and was in critical condition on Tuesday at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington, a spokesperson said.
Pat White Jr, Whitley County Judge-Executive, paid tribute to the “very hard-working, very dedicated man.
“He was a great mentor to many of them. We’re sure going to miss him.”;;
The tornado punched its deadly path across more than 55 miles (88 km), according to the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky.
At its peak, it spread to about a mile (1.6 km) wide and had winds up to 170 mph (274 kph).
The cleanup continues, with hundreds of volunteers helping to distribute food and water.
