| Injury toll rises, one patient flown to Vanderbilt |
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By: Lisa Marchesoni
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Posted: Friday, April 10, 2009 10:38 pm
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A patient critically injured by the Good Friday tornadoes flew by LifeFlight helicopter Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Emergency Medical Services spokesman Randy White said paramedics treated and transported 42 patients suffering injuries from the tornadoes to medical centers. Mother Kori Bryant and her 9-week-old daughter, Olivia, died. Bryant’s husband suffered injuries. White gave the update during a 9 p.m. news briefing with city, state and federal officials.
Deputy City Manager Rob Lyons said more than 100 homes were destroyed inside the city. Many other homes sustained minor to significant damage. Fire Chief Cumbey Gaines and firefighters conducted door-to-door searches and began first-aid treatment to injured residents. Twenty-five crews and contract employees with Murfreesboro Electric Department, joined by Nashville Electric Service, worked to get electricity restored to crucial places first.
Electricity to West Murfreesboro was restored.
“The damage is quite extensive,” Lyons said, adding with the number of power lines down, it may be a few days before electricity is restored. U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon notified the White House who awaits an assessment for federal assistance. “Unfortunately, I’ve had to tour a number of tornado sites,” Gordon said. “This is the most damage I’ve seen.”
Mayor Tommy Bragg said the tornadoes were the most devastation he’s seen in Murfreesboro. “Certainly with the loss of life it’s a terrible thing,” Bragg said.
Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans said damage assessments will begin Saturday.
Other developments:
• Gov. Phil Bredesen is expected to tour the tornadoes’ path Saturday.
• Murfreesboro Police will patrol the areas to prevent looters. Spokesman Kyle Evans urged people to stay away from the areas so clean up can be performed without traffic congestion. Police will not allow sightseers entrance to the areas Saturday.
• People who need assistance or want to volunteer with the American Red Cross may call 890-1034. Donations may be accepted by the Red Cross by calling 893-4272.
• Tornado survivors who need shelter may stay at the New Visions Baptist Church on North Thompson Lane. For more information, call 769-0092.
• SportsCom on Memorial Boulevard will be open for displaced tornado victims to take showers.
• The Rutherford County Landfill at 600 Landfill Road off West Jefferson Pike will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday to accept downed trees.
• City crews will continue to clear debris Saturday. Lyons said he appreciated the cooperation of other agencies in responding to the tornado.
“One of the things that makes Murfreesboro a special community is we all pull together when the need arises,” Lyons said.
“We couldn’t work any better than we did with today’s emergency response.” Bragg said he appreciated the help of city employees, Rutherford County employees, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Electric Service, La Vergne Police Department and everyone else who helped in the response.
“We will get through this,” Bragg said. “We will survive.” |
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