Couple lose an arm each after terrifying tornado ripped through their home

A married couple tragically each lost an arm after a 170 mph tornado tore through their Kentucky home.

Both in their late 60s, Paul and Gail Cline were unable to leave their property in Laurel County, when the EF-4 storm was announced on 16 May.

The monstrous winds first travelled through the cities of Russell and Pulaski, before landing on the somewhat rural city of London - not far from the state's famous Appalachian Mountains - where the Clines have lived for some years.

Prevented from fleeing the area, the pair attempted to barricade themselves into their bedroom.

As the storm intensified, the couple clung to one another for dear life, fearing it could be their final moments together.

Glass tore its way through their home (WLKY)

Whilst the pair embraced, objects were launched into their home through the walls and windows, sending wooden trunks, sheet rocks and even fragmented glass flying through the air.

Community pastor Paul and Gail held one another tighter, afraid that the storm could steal their lives any moment.

It was then during the chaos that an arm belonging to each of them was severed by an object that crushed its way through the property.

They'd lost opposite arms from one another, having refused to let go of their embrace.

The couple were found the following day, once the tornado had finally settled. A neighbour rushed to the ruins of the home, having heard Paul and Gail quietly calling for help.

Their niece, Brandy Bowman later told WLKY: "When they were found, they were holding each other, and that’s why they lost opposite arms.

"Because they were holding on to each other, and whatever impacted them impacted them at the same time."

The couple's nieces spoke out (WLKY)

Another of their nieces, Taylor Baker, went on to thank the Clines' neighbours for checking in on them, despite the extent of the wreck.

She revealed of her aunt and uncle: "He pulled a cord from something and put a tourniquet on her arm, and that’s what kept her from bleeding out."

The couple were quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where they've remained under vital care ever since.

The extent of Gail's injuries were so severe that doctors were forced to place her into a medically-induced coma. She was also placed on life support after potentially-fatal damage to her ribs, liver and lungs.

Thankfully, however, she was able to come off her life support machine yesterday (22 May), after which she was reunited with Paul.

He had suffered less severe injuries - despite losing his arm in the storm, but had also been diagnosed with dementia prior to the storm.

Photos of the pair's sweet hospital reunion have since gone viral online. They were also joined by their 12-year-old dog Sadie, who their neighbours had also found in the wreck, and who'd thankfully survived.

The couple were later reunited in hospital (WLKY)

The couple's entire property has now been destroyed as a result of the almighty winds, however, along with that of hundreds of other Kentucky families. It is also believed that 17 people also sadly died in the heartbreaking disaster.