Falling tree kills 34-year-old man sleeping in his home during tornado

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — A tree fell onto a house in Cartersville early Monday morning, killing a man inside.

Officials now confirm that the storm that hit the county was an EF-1 tornado.

The coroner identified the victim as William Gregory McConnell, 34.

“He loved life family and all his children,” his mother told Channel 2 Action News. “Please pray for our strength. He will be missed.”

[5 dead, several people injured during severe storms in Murray County]

Bartow County fire officials told Channel 2′s Lauren Davis that the man was asleep inside when the large tree fell on the house on Fite Street.

“We got a call that someone was trapped inside the home where a tree fell on it,” said Ray King with the Cartersville Fire Department.

Rescue crews rushed to the scene, but it was too late.

“When we got here, we assessed the victim and determined he was deceased,” King said.

At least two others inside the home were injured. They were able to walk to the ambulance to get treatment.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News for updates on this developing story

[Confirmed tornado leaves trail of damage in northwest Georgia]

It was a somber moment when the coroner pulled the body out of the house. Officials paused for a moment of reflection.

“It’s never easy when someone dies although we deal with it a lot, we try to show respect,” King said.

Fire officials said the house was the worst of the damage in the county.

At least 8 people were killed during storms early Monday and dozens were hurt.

NewsChopper2 shows tornado damage in Upson County NewsChopper 2 shows extensive damage to homes and trees down across Upson County

© 2020 Cox Media Group