Toddler sleeping next to his mother died in horrific tornado tragedy

A 2-year-old boy was killed and his mother was seriously injured when a powerful tornado uprooted a tree that fell on their home in a Detroit suburb Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The “massive” tree broke through the roof and landed on a bed where the couple were sleeping in Livonia, Michigan, the city said in a statement on its website. Rescue crews worked for nearly an hour to remove the roof and lift the tree using high-pressure air bags to get the victims out.

Rancher and his 34 cattle are the latest victims of the deadly weather this weekend

The toddler succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the mother was taken to Livonia Trinity Hospital in critical condition, the statement added.

“This is a terrible tragedy for our community,” said Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. “We are also heartbroken and want to express our deepest condolences.”

Livonia Fire Chief Robert Johnson told WDIV-TV that a two-week-old baby was also in a crib in a separate room of the house. The baby was not injured but was taken to the hospital.

He also described efforts to rescue the mother – whose name was not disclosed – at the “traumatic” location when she and her child became trapped in the tree.

“She remained conscious for the most part during the rescue,” Johnson said. “She was treated by our paramedics while she was trapped by the tree.”

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