Joplin, MO Tornado 5-22-11 Storm Chaser becomes Ambulance

We were chasing this storm and were right behind it when it dropped the tornado in Joplin. The tragedy is horrible. We stopped the camera after we picked up our first injured victim. We picked up many more and worked as an ambulance for many hours, shuttling people to the hospital. We will never forget the people we met, or the things we saw. We pray they all made it . So sad. This is exactly WHY we chase. We are praying for you Joplin.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Joplin
• Tornado
• Storm
• Chasers
• Missouri
• 5-22-11
• resure
• footage
• MO

[triwilson929]

We have not sold one second of our footage. If you see any of our video out there...we have donated it for Joplin. There are no pictures of us helping people or of us taking pictures of each other hugging people. People matter. People deserve respect. In times of trouble, always do the right thing, you won't be sorry, even if no one else knows.

[triwilson929]

I don't know what all of these recent comments are about "helping people comes second". I am sickened by the lust for video footage and the money grubbing and media pandering that goes with it. Let us put this straight...People ALWAYS come FIRST.

[LWPD327]

We become desensitized by the amount of watches and warnings, this is what happens when that happens. Grew up in Webb City and know Rangeline all too well. We were on our way back to N.W.MO. from a police training exercise in OK. when we outran this on I-44 in our Police Interceptor. Did 136mph due to the angle & was gaining on us. Went back afterward & stayed for 20+hrs helping people in recovery efforts. This was a mile wide & had peak winds 200-250mph. The only safe that day was underground.

[NC198600]

I was in this tornado as well at Springview Gardens Apartments by St. John's Hospital that was destroyed. I was barely missed by 1 1/2 blocks. I've never been so scared in my life. I had no basement. My bedroom, closets, and bathroom were located next to exterior walls. I had only one place to take cover and that was my hallway. Unfortunately I had a window at the end of my hallway but by the grace of God it stayed intact along with the roof. I had only one broken window.

[wxrodrigues]

this is shocking footage this is what chasing is all about helping people i live in portugal but i respect nature i hope they made it alive god bless those people who made it

[MrBanBeta]

@elainebmack It's probably just the camera. They must see better with their eyes.

[elainebmack]

I don't know how they can see the tornado when everything is so dark.

[zxcorpionz]

Damn. Bad storm

[beatleman69]

The person right at the end of the video, was he badly hurt? When you see a person coming out of a destroyed building like that, its like something out of a movie. Just watching that few seconds really gets to you. Thank you for your courage and humanaterianism!

[Wekissinbreakdowns]

This video gave me chills and once again brought tears to my eyes. You both have such fear in your voices. I couldn't imagine seeing my town flattened by mother nature in such a way. You both are very brave.

[ManyGoMad]

Thanks for putting people above the "Shot". Nice to see storm chasers with their priorities straight. Not everyone does. CHEERS to you!

[bdkennedy1]

Thank you for helping people!