Rachel Withers
Eyewitness News Reporter ATHENS,
Tenn. (WRCB) -
Tragedy struck an Athens campground over the weekend. A
man was killed when a giant tree crashed on to his camper. His wife was
trapped beside him while he died. It's a freak accident even
Athens police are trying to understand. Somehow the heavy rain we've
received in the last few weeks softened the ground, and a huge tree was
uprooted. It crashed on the camper behind it. A heavy snow
can't hide the tragedy that unfolded at an Athens campground early
Sunday morning. The camper Terry and Anita Rasmus called home sits
untouched, as if time stood still when this tree fell down. "I
heard this sound of something falling," explained neighbor Ginny Goble.
"I thought a limb had fallen out by us. I felt a little vibration." That
vibration was just after midnight, and Goble was watching television in
bed. Next thing she knew, it was four in the morning and emergency
crews were next door. "I had no idea what happened, or I would have crawled out of here to go help my friends," said Goble. It
took Anita Rasmus nearly three hours to free herself before she could
call 911. By the time emergency crews arrived, it was too late. Anita's
husband was gone. "Evidently he asked her if she was alright, and that's the last thing he said to her," said Goble. No
matter how much time passes, the campground will never forget what
happened here. Friends like Goble want Anita to know she won't face the
heartache alone. Neighbors are understandably uneasy. Many of
them live near similarly huge trees, and they're worried about what
could happen to them. Residents say the owners of the campground have
told them they'll keep the limbs of trees trimmed in the future.
AP STORY: Associated Press - February 1, 2009 1:35 PM ET ATHENS,
Tenn. (AP) -
A local man was killed Sunday after a large tree smashed
on top of the camper where he and his wife were sleeping. The
Chattanooga Times Free Press reports 51 year-old Terry Rasmus was
killed. The couple was camping at a campground on Interstate 75. His
wife, Anita Rasmus, escaped serious injury. Anita Rasmus told
police she was awakened at around 4 a.m. by the sound of the tree
smashing into the camper. She told police it took her more than an hour
to free herself from the debris. Terry Rasmus was taken to
Athens Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The newspaper
reports Mrs. Rasmus is recovering from her injuries. http://www.timesfreepress.com
Texas man dies, wife is injured after tree falls onto camper while they slept
Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 , 11:10 a.m.
Texas man dies, wife is injured after tree falls onto camper while they slept
By: Kenny Sloan
ATHENS,
Tenn. — A Texas man was killed early this morning and his wife escaped
serious injury when a large tree fell onto their camper while they were
sleeping, according to the Athens Police Department. Authorities said Terry Rasmus, 51, and his wife, Anita, of Houston, were camping at the I-75 Campground at 2509 Decatur Pike. Mrs.
Rasmus told police she and her husband were asleep at the front of the
camper. She said she was awaken around 4 a.m. by the sound of a tree
landing on the camper in the area of the sleeper quarters. She said it took her about and hour and half to free herself from the debris. Mrs.
Rasmus said her husband was still pinned under the debris and a tree
limb. She contacted police and the Athens Fire Department, Athens
Police Department and Med Trans Ambulance Service responded to the
scene. Authorities were able to assist Mrs. Rasmus from the camper after cutting one of the tree limbs from the door. Athens
Public Works were eventually called in to assist in the removal of the
tree in order for emergency workers to get to Mr. Rasmus. He was transported to Athens Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead around 6 a.m. Mrs. Rasmus was also transported to the hospital where she is recovering from her injuries.
Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 , 12:00 a.m.
Athens: Man killed when tree falls on trailer
By: Ron Clayton
(Contact)
ATHENS,
Tenn. — A Texas man was killed and his wife injured early Sunday
morning when a large Oak tree fell on their trailer camper at an Athens
campground. Terry Rasmus, 51, of Houston, and his wife Anita
were asleep at the Interstate 75 Campground when the tree fell on their
small camper about 3 a.m. According to an Athens police report
by Officer Sarah Francis, both victims were pinned by the tree, and it
took Mrs. Rasmus more than an hour to free herself. Rescue units
arrived at the scene shortly after 4 a.m. and the Athens Fire
Department and notified Athens Public Works to bring additional chain
saws and other equipment to help free Mr. Rasmus. He was transported to
the Athens Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Campground manager George Herrmann said the tree was alive and even had buds on it. “Apparently
it was just an act of God,” He said. According to campground records,
the couple had been at the campground since last August, but were
listed with on the register as from Houston. The camper was parked under the tree, and the two-foot trunk fell directly onto the sleeping area of the camper. Mrs.
Rasmus was injured in the incident, and according to the police report
is recovering from her injuries at the Athens Regional Medical Center.