Mother killed, daughter injured after winds topple tree onto South Carolina home
The woman was sitting on the front porch with her 58-year-old daughter when straight-line winds toppled a tree, authorities said
SC woman killed, daughter injured after tree falls on home from straight-line winds
Officials say the women, the 78-year-old mother and 58-year-old daughter, were trapped on the front porch of the house. (Video Courtesy: FOX CAROLINA NEWS)
GAFFNEY, S.C. – A South Carolina mother was killed, and her daughter was injured after a tree fell on a home during a thunderstorm Thursday afternoon.
Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler identified the victim as 78-year-old Thelma Jordan Carroll, of Gaffney.
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The woman was sitting on the front porch with her 58-year-old daughter about 5 p.m. when straight-line winds toppled the tree, authorities said. It fell on the porch causing the roof to collapse on them. Carroll was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Four children were inside the home and were able to crawl to safety through a window.
"The tree was rotten on the inside near its base which weakened it with the heavy wind gusts," Fowler said.
A South Carolina mother is dead, and her daughter was injured after a tree fell on a home during a thunderstorm Thursday afternoon.
(FOX Carolina News)
It took fire and rescue personnel along with a towing company more than two hours to free Carroll's daughter who was trapped under the debris. She was taken to an area hospital. Details about the extent of her injuries were not immediately released.
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"This is an absolute tragedy and our prayers are with this family," Fowler said.
An autopsy will be performed Friday to assist with the coroner’s investigation.
Emergency services said the house was the only one damaged. The National Weather Service said they plan to survey the damage in Gaffney to confirm if a tornado was in the area.
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