Rear (Tailgate) Externally Mounted GoPro camera captures the terrifying sequence of events on El Reno EF5 Tornado.
A semi trailer was following storm chasers for a number of miles during the large storm.
Around 70-80mph backing winds were present at the time. Due to rapid loss of visual on the road, storm spotter, Daniel Shaw was forced to stop on the interstate with no more that 5 yards visibility.
The sides of the road at the time could barely be seen.
The semi trailer was travelling too quickly to be able to stop prior to a rear-end collision with Daniel.
The truck was toppled by suspected RFD winds after the impact.
Moments later, the 2.6 mile wide tornado set upon both vehicles.
The tornado proceeded to circulate around them for around 4mins and 20 secs.
Daniel used his Toyota Rav4 to wedge the front end of his vehicle into the overturned semi trailer, to protect himself and stabilize the semi trailer from drifting in the tornadic winds.
The semi trailer shifted 5 times during the tornadic activity.
Both were lucky to escape unharmed.
Daniel and the driver of the Semi-Trailer "Chucky" were re-united at a nearby gas station.
"Chucky" assisted Daniel with a tyre change after his vehicle blew out the back left rear tyre on impact..
Daniel and fellow storm chaser "Greg" drove "Chucky" home to re-unite him with his family.
He said he was simply unable to stop due to high winds but said he didn't want to lose sight of my vehicle which is why he was travelling quicker that what he probably should have been in the terrible visibility and high winds.
Full version of events leading up to this incident will be posted at a later date. We believe this will assist with training current and new Skywarn spotters on what happens when you believe you are safe from a violent, extreme, and unpredictable tornado.
DarkSky (106)
