A young boy tragically lost his dad, brother, sister, and grandmother as a result of a deadly tornado in Iowa, the New York Post reports.
On Saturday, the turbulent twister tore through a number of homes in Winterset, Iowa. Mike Bolger, a 37-year-old father of three, died in the storm along with his two-year-old son, Owen, and his five-year-old daughter, Kenley.
Bolger's eldest son, Brysen, survived and the children's mother, Kuri, has sustained serious injuries.
The children's 63-year-old maternal grandmother, Melissa Bazley, also lost her life when the tornado passed through her home. Her husband and adult son survived. According to police, the tornado also proved fatal for two of their neighbors.
In light of the tragedy, Diogenes Ayala, Madison County Emergency Management Director, said, per KMNO: "The best thing the community can do is just to not go to these areas. Let people that are living there, let them clean up, give them some space.
"This is pretty devastating for our community. Give people time to heal. Keep our community in your prayers tonight."
A GoFundMe has been set up by a family friend to help cover the family's funeral costs and hospital bills.
The fundraising page reads: "Hi all, my name is Kayla, and I'm a longtime friend of Kuri, Mike, and the entire Cooper Bazley family. On 3/5/22 a F3-sized tornado went through Winterset, Iowa where Kuri's parents lived and they were visiting. In that disaster, Mike, Kinlee, and Owen lost their lives.
"Kuri is currently still in the hospital with severe injuries but stable and Brysen has been discharged from the hospital with minor injuries. There will be a long road ahead for both of them and their entire family as Kuri lost her mother in the disaster as well.
"All funds donated will go directly to Kuri for hospital bills, ongoing expenses and provide proper celebrations of life for the family. Please help however you can during this tragic and challenging time. Thank you all for the love and support!"
Following thousands of donations so far, it has managed to raise over $180,000 of its $250,000 goal.
Three others were also killed by the devastating storm, including Rodney Clark, 64, and Cecilia Lloyd, 72, who lived just down the street from Bazley.
The third person killed in the storm was from Lucas County. The individual's name has not been released.
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