After a tornado caused a giant pine tree to fall on their home, a mother and her eight-year-old boy were killed in their sleep.
When an EF-2 tornado dropped a pine tree on their mobile home on Tuesday night, Chiquita Broadnax, 39, and Cedarrius Tell were sleeping in the same bed.
Cedric Lamar Tell, Cedarrius’ father, who was sleeping in a different room, was discovered entangled in the wreckage.
He underwent surgery after being taken to the hospital with serious injuries, but he is expected to make it through the terrifying experience.
On November 29, the tornado tore through the neighbourhood, injuring 23 residents as it tore through four southern states.
Their bed was smack in the midst of the tree when it fell, a family member named Norman Bennett told WAAY 31. The wife and child were affected.
She claimed that after hearing her father Cedric crying in pain, the neighbours left their homes.
He was screaming. “Find my infant. Find my child,” added Norman.
The Flatwood Community Center, which was also destroyed by the devastating tornado, was right next to the family’s mobile home.
The center’s director, Chenita Staley, paid tribute to Cedarrius, describing him as “kind” and “liked dinosaurs.”
He loved his dinosaurs and was quiet, yet he got along with everyone.
Chiquita, the mother of the child, was praised for her community service and for being a “lovely lady” who always brought ice cream for the kids.