A seemingly ordinary day on the golf course turned into a devastating tragedy when a father and son were killed by a falling tree during a severe storm in Georgia. Matthew Terrell Collins Sr., 58, and his son, Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., 29, were at the Bull Creek Golf Course in Midland on Sunday evening when the unthinkable occurred.
As severe weather swept through the region, the father and son sought shelter under a tree while in their golf cart, according to Muscogee County coroner Buddy Bryan. Tragically, the tree gave way under the force of the storm, crushing the pair and causing fatal blunt force trauma.
“This seems like a terrible accident, but we’ll have the police department and the coroner do a thorough investigation. Our thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. This is a terrible storm that came through our community,” Columbus Fire-EMS Chief Sal Scarpa told local news.
Extreme weather claimed two more victims
The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving behind grieving family and friends. A GoFundMe page, created to support Matthew Sr.’s widow and Matthew Jr.’s mother, described their deaths as “a heartbreaking and unimaginable loss.”
The organizer poignantly noted, “They were spending time together when the storm struck – sharing a moment between father and son that would unknowingly become their last.”
The tragic deaths of the Collins father and son are part of a larger pattern of destruction caused by extreme weather across the South and Midwest. Since the beginning of April, at least 20 lives have been lost as flooding and tornadoes have ravaged communities.
The Georgia community is in mourning
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by the tragic deaths of two Georgians in Muscogee County today as a result of the severe weather. We ask that you join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, along with all those responding to storm damage.”
For those who knew them, the loss of Matthew Sr. and Matthew Jr. is immense. Matthew Jr. was remembered as “a loyal friend, a kindhearted soul, and someone who always showed up for the people in his life,” according to the GoFundMe organizer.
The pair shared a “deep bond,” making their sudden and joint loss even more devastating. The fundraising campaign has already garnered significant support to help cover the funeral costs, a testament to the impact the father and son had on their community. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and deadly power of severe weather.
Read the full article here
