Three Storm Chasers Killed Chasing Tornado In El Reno

According to the Canadian County Sheriff's Office, Tim Samaras, 55, his son Paul Samaras, 24, and Carl Young, 45, died while chasing a tornado in El Reno.

Sunday, June 2nd 2013, 11:07 am

By: News 9


Three storm chasers are among 11 people killed during a tornado outbreak in central Oklahoma Friday evening.

According to the Canadian County Sheriff's Office, Tim Samaras, 55, his son Paul Samaras, 24, and Carl Young, 45, died while chasing a tornado in El Reno.

Tim and Paul Samaras and Carl Young were known to viewers of the former Discovery Channel show "Storm Chasers," according to CNN.

Tim Samaras' Brother, Jim Samaras, posted the following statement on Tim's Facebook page Sunday morning:

"Thank you to everyone for the condolences. It truly is sad that we lost my great brother Tim and his great son, Paul. Our hearts also go out to the Carl Young family as well as they are feeling the same feelings we are today. They all unfortunately passed away but doing what they LOVED. Chasing Tornado's. I look at it that he is in the 'big tornado in the sky...' We (the family) will keep folks aware of what the funeral estrangements are, but please in the meantime keep Tim and Paul in your thoughts and prayers."

The National Weather Service says a total of five tornadoes touched down across the metro, including a powerful EF-3 that hit near El Reno.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office confirmed nine people, including two children, were killed. In addition to the fatality numbers released by the medical examiner's office, two other victims were identified by the Oklahoma and Okfuskee county sheriffs' offices in towns east of the metro.

Officials have not released the victims' identities.

Over 100 people were injured as the severe storms struck central Oklahoma.

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