A grandmother from Kentucky was killed after a 2,600lb Denny's restaurant sign fell and crushed her car on Thursday (January 19).
Lillian Mae Curtis, 72, had been on the way home from picking up her husband, Lloyd Curtis, from the Jewish Hospital in Kentucky after having had heart surgery when the tragic accident occurred.
Mrs Curtis had been sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, which also contained her daughter Mary Graham. Both Mr Curtis and Ms Graham were also injured.
The family are believed to have stopped at the fast food restaurant on their way home when the sign was allegedly blown over by strong winds of up to 50mph.
Pictures have emerged of the family's blue car which had been crushed by the sign, with extensive damage to the back of the vehicle as well as the signage resting on the bonnet.
Mrs Curtis is believed to have been trapped in the back of the car after the vehicle was crushed and had to be removed by emergency services.
Her granddaughter, Amy Nichols, told WDRB News her grandmother had received a 'catastrophic' head wound in the freak incident.
She added that her mother, Ms Graham, had sustained a small chest injury but has since been discharged from hospital.
Ms Nichols paid tribute online, adding: "This woman right here my beautiful nanny Lillian Mae Curtis was the matriarch of our family she was the strongest woman I have ever seen in my life.
"I don't know how myself or my family can even begin to live in a cold world without her in it. She was my biggest supporter in life and always had me when nobody else did. I am so lost right now I can't even function.
"She was my Nanny she was my second momma she was everything to me. I would give my life to have her back. I love you so much nanny. I just want to hug you again and smell your cologne and tell you I love you. How do I say goodbye to you I wish it would of been me in that backseat not you. I just want you back.."
Elizabethtown police spokesperson Chris Denham told NBC News: "I am able to say with certainty the wind was a factor. Very, very sad situation."
Denham added to ABC that Hardin County EMS and fire department responded to the scene after being called at around 1:30 PM on Thursday.
Mr Curtis and Ms Graham were taken to Baptist Health Hardin hospital, while Mrs Curtis was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
A spokesperson for Denny's added: "Safety is our top priority, and we are working with the authorities to better understand what led to this situation. Our thoughts are with all of those involved."
An investigation is currently underway in its early stages to establish what caused the sign to fall.
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