A tornado slammed a Boy Scout camp in the remote hills of western Iowa, killing at least four people and injuring 40, most of whom were on a hike when the twister struck.
All of the children had been accounted for late on Wednesday, after rescuers cut their way through downed trees and debris to reach them, said Russ Lewrenson of the Mondamin Fire Department.
"There had to be sawing and stuff to get to the scene," Lewrenson said.
A search and rescue team had been deployed to the camp near Little Sioux, Iowa Homeland Security spokeswoman Julie Tack said.
At least 40 people who were injured in the storm were being taken to area hospitals.
Most of the kids who were hurt were out on a hike when the tornado hit, Lewrenson said.
There were 93 campers, ages 13 to 18, and 25 staff members at the leadership training camp, Tack said.
"They were considered some of the best in the area," Tack said.
"All of the buildings are gone; most of the tents are gone; most of the trees are destroyed," Lloyd Roitstein, president of the Boy Scouts of Mid-America Council told.
"You've got 1,800 acres of property that are destroyed right now," he said.
Gayle Jessen of Fremont, Nebraska, said her 19-year-old son Zach is a staff leader at the camp.
He called his parents to say he had a bruise on an arm and was being treated at a hospital.
"I'm so relieved my son is OK," Jessen said. She said her husband was headed to the hospital to pick up their son.
Source: By DDNEWS
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
