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Oct 31, 2006 11:28 am US/Eastern
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Storm Survival - Surviving a Tornado: May 21, 2006
Joe DelliCarpini, Senior Meteorologist, National Weather Service Taunton, MA
(WBZ)
Brothers Greg and Brian Grinnell were on their way back to Maine from a reunion in New York. Avid surfers, both have a keen weather sense and knew a squall line was close by. After crossing the border into New Hampshire, headed north on I-95, both noticed very dark clouds approaching from the west. In Hampton Falls, right near the toll plaza, the two decided to pull their truck over to take a closer look.
They called the scene "surreal" dark gray skies and leaves twisting about. Brian got out of the truck to secure their kayak. It was then he saw strange slate gray clouds speeding by low in the sky. On the other side of the highway, trees began bending over pointing toward them. The air filled with a jet engine roar. Greg, who was standing on the running board of the truck, jumped back in the driver's seat. Brian raced back to the passenger side.
Brian tried to close the door, but it ripped out of his hands as what felt like a rapid hydraulic lift yanked the truck into the air. The truck rolled over in mid-air, briefly touching down 27 feet away. Brian realized all hell was breaking loose. They were no longer in control they may not survive. The truck then went into a second frenetic roll which the brothers said felt like a high speed dryer, landing another 29 feet away on its roof. Both recall the chaos rain, wind and debris everywhere. For a moment, each tried to determine if they were still alive. They managed to crawl out of the truck in complete shock. Witnesses who saw the vehicle hurl through the air jumped out of their cars and raced over to help.
Both brothers were treated and released from an area hospital with only minor injuries, but over time, the physical impact has proved more serious. Brian has a bone chip in his shoulder resulting in limited use of his left arm and episodes of intense pain. Greg is healing from a broken back, not discovered until weeks after the encounter with the F2 tornado.
Brian and Greg are grateful to be alive and believe divine forces guarded over them that fateful day. Greg, struck by lightning at the age of 17, has an even greater respect for the power of nature. Brian still wonders how he did not get sucked out of the truck and calls his survival a "gift from the maker."
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)