US couple married for over 50 years die hugging each other during Hurricane Helene

A

South Carolina couple

lost their lives when a massive tree fell on their home during

Hurricane Helene

, one of the deadliest storms in US history. Marcia, 74, and Jerry Savage, 78, were killed while lying in bed as the storm battered their property in Beech Island. Their grandson, John Savage, had just checked on them moments before the tragedy, according to CBS News.

“We heard one snap and I remember going back there and checking on them,” John, 22, said. “They were both fine, the dog was fine.” But shortly after, John and his father heard a devastating "boom" — the sound of a large tree crashing through the roof and onto his grandparents’ bedroom.
"All you could see was ceiling and tree," John recounted. Overcome with panic, he later learned that his grandparents had been found hugging in bed. “My grandpa apparently heard the tree snap beforehand and rolled over to try and protect my grandmother,” he said, adding that the family believes it was "God's plan" to take them together.
The Savages are among the more than 190 people killed by the storm, which caused devastation across multiple states. Falling trees were a recurring cause of death, including two South Carolina firefighters who died when a tree fell on their truck.

The couple who had been married for over 50 years, are survived by their children, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A

GoFundMe

has been set up to help with funeral expenses.
President Biden

toured the storm's aftermath on Wednesday, surveying the widespread damage caused by flooding, mudslides, and power outages.