Two Killed, Numerous Injured after Tornado Hits Van

VAN (AP/Staff) – Two persons have been killed in the tornado that hit Van, also injuring more than two dozen people. The victims have been identified as David and Brenda Tapley. Officials in Van say they have now accounted for everyone reported missing following the deadly tornado. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark said late Monday night that everyone on the missing list has now been accounted for. However, she says that just to be safe, cadaver dogs are checking the area.

Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen said that 26 people were transported to hospitals by emergency personnel. East Texas Medical Center Tyler has reported that they received, by ambulance, six people injured after a tornado struck Van last night. An ETMC representative said two of them were in critical condition and four were treated for head lacerations, cuts and scrapes, then released.

In addition, three children were brought by private vehicle from the same household with abrasions and cuts and have all been treated and released. ETMC Tyler has so far treated a total of nine victims from the storm. ETMC Tyler is a Level 1 Trauma Center and our team was standing by and ready when the injured were brought in.

Mother Frances Hospital Tyler has received and treated 33 patients after the severe weather that moved through north East Texas and the city of Van last night, according to officials. The first patients were received around 10:24 p.m., with the last arriving at approximately 1:30 a.m. 26 of the patients were treated and released, while 7 patients were admitted. Of those patients who were admitted, two are listed in critical condition and five are listed in stable condition.