16-Year-Old Miraculously Survives Being Swept Up By Tornado In Truck

A teenager whose car was swept up by a powerful tornado has shared his incredible story.

Shocking footage was released last week of Riley Leon's red pick-up truck being tossed through the air and dragged along a road in Elgin, Texas.

The 16-year-old was behind the wheel when his car was flipped onto its side and thrown up by the huge gust of wind.

However, Riley, who had just left a job interview for the fast-food chain Whataburger, somehow managed to regain control of the car and drive it to safety.

NBC

Speaking to NBC, he said: "I honestly didn't know what to do, to grab onto the steering wheel or to start praying.

"On the video, it looks like I drove off but in reality I didn't. I landed in the center of the road and I was just driving to get off the road."

Riley told KVUE he couldn't believe it was happening at the time, and that the car had been in his family for over a decade.

He said: "I didn’t feel it. I didn’t [see] it. Supposedly, there were sirens going off but I didn’t hear it.

"It broke me down, seeing my hard work is gone. It’s family-owned, but my dad passed it to me, but I paid him off."

Since the video was posted online, it has been viewed millions of times, with a local car dealership offering the high school student a new motor.

In a post to its Facebook page, the company said: "Chevrolet, together with Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet of Fort Worth, TX, are donating a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT All Star Edition in Cherry Red to Riley Leon and his family after he survived a powerful tornado while driving in his Silverado.

Riley Leon

"We are thankful Riley is safe [and] commend his driving skills during a frightening situation."

And as well as the new car, which he gets today, 26 March, Riley also got the job at Whataburger and starts on Monday, 28 March.

However, the incident has left Riley needing medical care and his family are now trying to raise money to cover his bills.

A GoFundMe page for the teenager reads: "He is a lovely, bright student making plans to graduate next year and could genuinely use some love from our community and anyone else who may have viewed this video and prayed for the passengers."

It goes on: "Riley is so lucky and blessed to have made it out of this terrifying incident. His truck was totaled, but for the most part, he is doing ok. Unfortunately, he has begun to experience body aches and severe back pain, as one would expect after this type of accident.

"He will be under a doctor's care. They will have to wait and see if he will need back surgery and may also need future therapy." 

So far, more than $35,000 has been raised for the teen.

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