Couple clinging together torn apart by Kentucky tornado Each losing one arm

An American married couple in the US state of Kentucky endured horrific injuries after being hit by a devastating tornado that reached over 270 km/h winds, ripping off one arm from each of them and pulling them apart while they were sheltering in their bedroom.

The incident occurred in London, Kentucky, which was one of the most severely hit areas in last week's series of tornadoes that tore through the US, Caliber.Az reports citing American media outlets.

Paul and Gail Cline clung to each other for safety when the twister hit their home. After the storm, a neighbour found Gail trapped under debris, crying for help and pointing out a dismembered arm in the hallway. Gail, who also suffered punctured lungs, is on life support in a medically induced coma while her husband is hospitalised but recovering.

Several storms tore through parts of the US Midwest and South last week and killed more than two dozen people in the states of Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia. Kentucky was hardest hit as a devastating tornado damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles about and left many homeless. At least 19 people were killed there, most of them in southeastern Laurel County.

By Nazrin Sadigova