South Carolina couple killed in Hurricane Helene found hugging

A couple in South Carolina has died after a tree fell on their bedroom during Hurricane Helene.

According to CBS News and Sky News, Jerry Savage, 78, and his wife Marcia Savage, 74, were found hugging each other in bed after a loud noise was heard in their Beech Island home.

Due to staying with family members, the couple's 22-year-old grandson, John Savage, had previously checked on them after hearing branches breaking.

“We heard a crack and I remember going back there and checking on them,” John said of his grandparents, who were in bed at the time. “They were both fine, the dog was fine.”

But not long after, John and his father heard a loud “boom” sound after a large tree fell on his grandparents' room, killing them.

“All you could see was the ceiling and the tree,” John explained. “At that point I was in pure panic.”

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“When they pulled her out of there, my grandfather apparently heard the tree break beforehand and turned to protect my grandmother,” he added.

Marcia and Jerry's family believed it was “God's plan” that they would die together rather than one having to live without the other.

Married for over 50 years, Jerry and Marcia were teenage sweethearts. He worked as an electrician and carpenter, she was a retired bank teller. Marcia was also active in her church.

According to Sky News, the late couple's daughter, Tammy Estep, described her parents' love as “immediate and eternal.”

A GoFundMe page for Marcia and Jerry states that they are survived by their son Mark Savage, daughter Tammy Estep (Darrell), four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

According to the Associated Press, as of Wednesday, October 2, at least 180 people have been killed in the southeastern part of the United States by Hurricane Helene.

To learn more about how you can help with the relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Helene, click here.