© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Storm Chaser's Haunting Final Facebook Post Before He Was Killed in Tornado
In this May 26, 2006, file photo tornado chaser Tim Samaras shows the probes he uses when trying to collect data in Ames, Iowa. Jim Samaras said Sunday, June 2, 2013, that his brother Tim Samaras was killed along with Tim’s son, Paul Samaras, and another chaser, Carl Young, on Friday, May 31, 2013 in Oklahoma City. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said the men were involved in tornado research. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)\n

Storm Chaser's Haunting Final Facebook Post Before He Was Killed in Tornado

"I reflect and appreciate the freedom this incredible country has to offer, and the ultimate sacrifices so many have made to make it happen."

In this May 26, 2006, file photo tornado chaser Tim Samaras shows the probes he uses when trying to collect data in Ames, Iowa. Jim Samaras said Sunday, June 2, 2013, that his brother Tim Samaras was killed along with Tim’s son, Paul Samaras, and another chaser, Carl Young, on Friday, May 31, 2013 in Oklahoma City. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said the men were involved in tornado research. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Veteran storm chaser Tim Samaras was watching turbulent skies and thinking about America's fallen heroes on Monday.

He died Friday, along with two other chasers -- including his son -- when a violent tornado tore through the Oklahoma City area, his brother confirmed.

Samaras, his 24-year-old son Paul, and another chaser, Carl Young, were killed when the EF3 tornado with winds up to 165 mph made a sudden turn toward them, the Denver Post reported. Tim Samaras lived in Bennett, Colo. A total of 10 people were killed in the storm.

They were not the storm chasers in the dramatic car video widely circulated online, or in the Weather Channel "Tornado Hunt Team" vehicle that took a direct hit.

Tim Samaras had appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers" show until last year, and worked for National Geographic and local TV stations. On Monday, he posted on Facebook that he was in a hotel lobby watching clouds roll in.

Image source: Facebook

Jim Samaras posted on Facebook that his brother and the other two men died doing what they loved.

"Thank you to everyone for the condolences," Jim Samaras wrote. "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.'"

This undated photo provided by The Discovery Channel shows Carl Young and Tim Samaras watching the sky. Jim Samaras said Sunday, June 2, 2013, that his brother storm chaser Tim Samaras was killed along with Tim’s son, Paul Samaras, and another chaser, Carl Young, on Friday, May 31, 2013 in Oklahoma City. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said the men were involved in tornado research.( AP Photo/Discovery Channel)

Canadian County Undersheriff Chris West said Sunday, "They put themselves in harm's way so that they can educate the public about the destructive power of these storms."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?