We're starting to learn more about what happened when a fierce storm ripped through the Bottrel campground on Friday afternoon. 

Three teenaged boys were taken to hospital, one with severe injuries after the storm hit the tiny hamlet and campground at around 4:45 p.m. 

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He says it looked like a tornado ripped through the area. 

"Some of the trees that were damaged were actually twisted, like somebody torqued them. We lost probably, between me and the neighbour, who has a big long driveway, we probably lost close to 40 trees and yet the centre of park was untouched. It's like it was impossible what happened, but it did."

Needham says his brother and his niece got to the three teens, who were stuck in a tent, first. 

"The one young fellow was pinned under the limb of a tree, with all of that weight on him was actually choking him out. He couldn't breathe. They got to him probably just in time and were able to snap that tree limb off and get the pressure off him."

Luckily things started to improve quickly.

Needham says "He had turned blue but after we got the branch off him, a few seconds later he took a deep breath and gasped and came around. We had to keep him stationary because he was definitely damaged and I think they've said now that he does have a broken back and several broken ribs and a broken arm and a concussion."

He says "The other two that were hurt, all of the boys were in the same area, in the same tent. They had separated shoulders and concussions but they seem to be fine and they're both home."

Needham says they had gotten a severe thunderstorm warning but didn't expect it to be this bad. 

"Earlier in the week we had a tornado warning but this one we didn't get a warning other than a severe thunderstorm."

Environment Canada says the damage caused in the Bottrel area on Friday was the result of a straight-line wind event.

The event had wind speeds of up to 115 kilometres per hour based on the damage that it left.

Needham says they have approximately 10 RV sites and 15 tenting sites. The tenting sites are closed right now until they can determine it is safe for guests again. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists wish to extend their sincere thanks to those who sent in videos and photos to abstorm@canada.ca or to twitter using #abstorm and encourage anyone with additional information about these, as well as any other events to continue to do so.

 

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