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Three Storm Chasers Among 10 Dead From Oklahoma Tornado

Max Meyer |
June 2, 2013 | 3:44 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

 

Oklahoma tornado (ks0stm, Creative Commons)
Oklahoma tornado (ks0stm, Creative Commons)
Three men who were well known for their appearances on the series "Storm Chasers" on the Discovery Channel were killed with seven other people in Friday's extreme weather in Oklahoma. It's believed that this incident was the first time that scientific researchers died from their pursuit of tornadoes, according to The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Associated Press reported on Sunday afternoon that 55-year-old Tim Samaras, his son, 24-year-old Paul and fellow storm chaser Carl Young, 45, were three of the casualties from Friday's tornado. It was Jim Samaras, the brother of Tim, who told the AP of their deaths.

The trio were killed near El Reno from an EF3 tornado with winds that sped up to 165 miles per hour. Friday's tornado came just a couple weeks after the May 20 twister that killed 24 and caused a multitude of damage in the Oklahoma City area.

MORE: Oklahoma Senators Show Hypocrisy In Tornado Response

"He looked at tornadoes not for the spotlight of TV but for the scientific aspect," said Jim Samaras. "At the end of the day, he wanted to save lives and he gave the ultimate sacrifice for that."

While "Storm Chasers" ended in 2011, the Discovery Channel plans to dedicate a show on Sunday night in honor of the three men. 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tim Samaras, his son Paul and their colleague Carl Young," stated Discovery Channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg. "Our thoughts and prayers go our to their families."

 

 

Reach Executive Producer Max Meyer by email.

 



 

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