Girl Fatally Hit In Head By Carport During Hurricane Michael

SEMINOLE COUNTY, GA — An 11-year-old girl in southwest Georgia was killed Wednesday when Hurricane Michael's category 3 winds sent a carport crashing into her grandparents' home in Seminole County, reports say. Sarah Radney of Cairo died when a leg of the carport crashed through the roof and struck her in the head, according to the Associated Press.

Officials in Seminole County confirmed Thursday morning the girl died as a result of Hurricane Michael. Emergency Management Agency Director Travis Brooks said the 11-year-old girl died after a mobile carport was picked up by the storm's wind, crashed through the roof, and hit the girl on her head.

Sarah and her 12-year-old brother had the week off from school for fall break and were staying at their grandparents' house when the hurricane caused the freak accident. The children were supposed to return home Thursday morning.

The fatal accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday, but Brooks told WTOC TV that rescue crews were delayed because of downed trees and power lines in the area that hampered efforts to reach the scene. Responders reached the girl around 1:50 a.m. Thursday.

Sarah's father and stepmother, Roy and Amber Radney, were at their home about 45 miles away, and frequently called as the hurricane pummeled the area. Roy Radney got the call that debris had come through the roof and hit Sarah and his mother. Sarah couldn't breathe and became unresponsive, dying about 45 minutes later.

Sarah's grandmother was treated at an area hospital for a punctured lung, a broken rib and flesh wounds, Amber Radney said.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Michael Hits GA: Child Killed; 344K Without Power

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This story includes reporting by The Associated Press.

In this photo provided by Amber Radney, 11-year-old Sarah Radney poses for a photo at her school, in Grady County near Cairo, Ga. Sarah Radney died during Hurricane Michael. Authorities say Michael's powerful winds lifted a carport high into the air and slammed it back down on the house. When it landed, one of the legs tore through the roof, fatally striking the 11-year-old girl in the head. (Amber Radney via AP)