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Two-month-old girl dies of injuries from Kentucky tornado

A two-month-old girl has become one of the youngest victims of the Kentucky tornadoes after succumbing to her injuries.

Two-month-old succumbs to injuries from Kentucky tornadoes. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook
Two-month-old succumbs to injuries from Kentucky tornadoes. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook

A two-month-old girl who died Monday is one of the youngest victims of the devastating Kentucky tornadoes — which obliterated her family’s home two days ago, the New York Post reports.

Oaklynn Koon succumbed to her injuries Monday morning, her heartbroken parents, Douglas and Jackie, revealed in a Facebook post.

“At least I know who will be watching over you up there for me. My dad,” Douglas wrote in a post showing his daughter’s tiny hand in his. “God this doesn’t seem real.”

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Oaklynn Koon, 2-months, died of her injuries from the tornado that destroyed their house in Beulah, Kentucky. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook
Oaklynn Koon, 2-months, died of her injuries from the tornado that destroyed their house in Beulah, Kentucky. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook

Her family confirmed her death just shortly before Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear released official death toll numbers for the state.

At least 74 people are dead and more than 100 still missing in Kentucky after tornadoes ravaged the area, a shaken Beshear said Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the official toll included Oaklynn’s death.

Oaklynn had spent two days in the hospital after the tornado tore through her hometown of Dawson Springs late Friday.

Oaklynn Koon is one of the youngest victims of the tornadoes that swept through Kentucky. Picture: Facebook
Oaklynn Koon is one of the youngest victims of the tornadoes that swept through Kentucky. Picture: Facebook
Oaklynn with her brother Dallas. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook
Oaklynn with her brother Dallas. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook

Her family said the baby girl suffered multiple seizures in the hospital and doctors believe she may have had a stroke.

“It’s not looking good guys at all. The machines are keeping her alive. Her head swelled really bad. She doesn’t have activity,” her parents said just hours before confirming her death.

“I’m in shock, my heart feels absolutely shattered. We love you Oakie.”

Oaklynn, who had been strapped into her car seat, was huddled in a bathroom with her parents and brothers when the twister struck.

The family was sent “flying” from the force of the tornado and ended up at a neighbour’s home, her parents said.

Oaklynn was hospitalised alongside her older brother Dallas, who was treated and then discharged on Sunday.

The family’s home was completely obliterated by the tornado, according to photos posted on social media. Children’s toys could be been scattered among the debris.

Two-month-old Oaklynn Koon succumbed to her injuries on December 13, 2021, after she had what doctors think was a stroke.
Two-month-old Oaklynn Koon succumbed to her injuries on December 13, 2021, after she had what doctors think was a stroke.
Dallas Koon was also injured in the storm. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook
Dallas Koon was also injured in the storm. Picture: Douglas Koon/Facebook

Chris Smiley, the mayor of Dawson Springs, estimated on Sunday that 75 per cent of their small town was wiped out by the tornado.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Smiley told CNN. “It’s just devastating.”

At least 14 are dead and more than 100 people are still missing in Dawson Springs alone, according to officials.

Kentucky was the worst-hit by far in the cluster of twisters that struck across several Midwest states Friday night.

A new report said 64 people in Kentucky have been killed by the storms and 105 people are still missing.Picture: Facebook/Douglas N Jackie Koon
A new report said 64 people in Kentucky have been killed by the storms and 105 people are still missing.Picture: Facebook/Douglas N Jackie Koon
Dawson Springs Mayor Chris Smiley estimates that 75 per cent of the town was wiped out by the storms. Picture: Douglas N Jackie Koon/Facebook.
Dawson Springs Mayor Chris Smiley estimates that 75 per cent of the town was wiped out by the storms. Picture: Douglas N Jackie Koon/Facebook.

Authorities are still trying to determine the total number of dead, and the storms made door-to-door searches impossible in some places.

“There are no doors,” Beshear said previously. “We’re going to have over 1,000 homes that are gone, just gone.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/twomonthold-girl-dies-of-injuries-from-kentucky-tornado/news-story/570e05cf7fc3373d054d8fa8da41cf08