A Kentucky married couple passionately embraced as a catastrophic tornado wrecked their home and tore off one of each of their arms.
Paul and Gail Cline, both in their late 60s, were hunkered down in their London, Kentucky bedroom as a twister with 170 mph wind speeds made them fear for their lives on May 16.
In what could have been their final moments, the couple - who have been married for 29 years - held each other tightly as the storm raged on, sending sheet rock and shattered glass flying through the air.
When the terrifying tornado finally settled, a neighbor rushed to the ruins of the Clines' home, where Paul and Gail were crying for help.
'When they were found, they were holding each other, and that's why they lost opposite arms,' Brandy Bowman, one of the Clines' nieces, told WLKY.
'Because they were holding on to each other, and whatever impacted them impacted them at the same time.'
Taylor Baker, another niece, thanked the heroic neighbor for saving her aunt and uncle's lives.
'He pulled a cord from something and put a tourniquet on her arm, and that's what kept her from bleeding out,' Baker told the outlet.
Paul and Gail Cline, both in their late 60s, were hunkered down in their bedroom as twister made them fear for their lives (pictured: the first time Paul and Gail saw each other after the tornado)
In what could have been their final moments, the married couple of 29 years clung onto one another as the storm raged on, sending sheet rock and shattered glass flying through the air (pictured: the Clines' wrecked home)
Paul (left), a beloved community pastor, and Gail (right) were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they have remained ever since the harrowing incident
Paul, a beloved community pastor, and Gail were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they have remained ever since the harrowing incident.
Gail suffered extreme injuries was put in a medically induced coma and placed on life support. She sustained damage to her ribs, liver and lungs.
Fortunately, Gail was finally able to come off life support on Thursday, and a heartwarming photograph captured the moment Paul and Gail laid eyes on each other since the life-changing tornado.
Paul's injuries were less severe, despite losing his arm as well, and he is in recovery.
Although their long-time residence was reduced to rubble, their tiny 12-year-old puppy, Sadie, survived the disaster.
Sadie was found inside what was left of the Clines' bedroom, awaiting their return.
The cherished pet was brought to the hospital to comfort the pair battling for their health.
The furry guest especially excited Paul, who has dementia and is struggling to comprehend what exactly transpired.
Their long-time residence was reduced to rubble and the elderly couple must rebuild their lives after they recover.
The furry guest especially excited Paul, who has dementia and is struggling to comprehend what exactly transpired.
'All I can't get out of my head is just how terrified they both were. I cannot imagine the fear that was going through their minds, but there's one thing about them they are godly people,' Baker told Lex18.
A GoFundMe created by Baker to help the Clines rebuilt their lives has already raised nearly $56,000.
Baker wrote: 'My aunt and uncle lost everything in the recent tornadoes in London, Ky. They both lost an arm and my aunt is still on life support.
'Their home and vehicles and everything they've worked for is gone. They are two of the best people you could ever find.
'My aunts daughter also has stage 4 cancer so they were already battling that before this hit. They need all the help and prayers they can get.'
Governor Andy Beshear had declared a state of emergency the day the Clines lost nearly everything.
The Clines' nieces Taylor Baker (left) and Brandy Bowman (right) spoke extensively about the devastating events
'Once again we have a dangerous weather system sweeping across the commonwealth,' Beshear urgently warned.
'We expect a significant round of weather coming this afternoon and into tonight that will produce strong winds that could lead to power outages, a possibility of hail, flooding and potential for tornadoes.
'We need everyone to be really careful and make sure you have weather alerts on and are at a location where you can seek safety if needed.'