South Carolina Couple Killed During Hurricane Helene Found Hugging Each Other in Bedroom

"My grandpa apparently heard the tree snap beforehand and rolled over to try and protect my grandmother," the couple's grandson recalled

<p>GoFundMe</p> Jerry and Marcia Savage

GoFundMe

Jerry and Marcia Savage

A couple in South Carolina has died after a tree fell on top of their bedroom during Hurricane Helene.

According to CBS News and Sky News, Jerry Savage, 78, and his wife Marcia Savage, 74, were found hugging each other in bed after a loud noise was heard in their Beech Island home.

Due to sheltering with family members, the couple’s grandson John Savage, 22, had checked on them earlier after hearing branches snap.

"We heard one snap and I remember going back there and checking on them," John said of his grandparents, who were lying in bed at the time. "They were both fine, the dog was fine."

Related: Siblings, 4 and 7, Killed by Falling Tree While They Were Sleeping During Hurricane Helene: 'My Babies'

<p>GoFundMe</p> Jerry and Marcia Savage

GoFundMe

Jerry and Marcia Savage

However, not long after, a loud "boom" sound was heard by John and his father after a large tree fell on top of his grandparents’ room and killed them.

"All you could see was ceiling and tree," John explained. "I was just going through sheer panic at that point."

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<p>Megan Varner/Getty</p> Flooded streets near Peachtree Creek in Atlanta

Megan Varner/Getty

Flooded streets near Peachtree Creek in Atlanta

"When they pulled them out of there, my grandpa apparently heard the tree snap beforehand and rolled over to try and protect my grandmother," he added.

Marcia and Jerry’s family believed it was "God's plan" for them to die together, instead of one having to live without the other.

Related: More Than 100 Dead After Hurricane Helene Ravages the South and 600 Remain Missing in 1 N.C. County: Officials

<p>Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty</p> Damage from Hurricane Helene in Forest Acres, South Carolina

Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty

Damage from Hurricane Helene in Forest Acres, South Carolina

Jerry and Marcia had been married for over 50 years and were teenage sweethearts. He worked as an electrician and carpenter, and she was a retired bank teller. Marcia was also active in her church.

Per Sky News, the late couple's daughter Tammy Estep described her parents’ love as "immediate, and it was everlasting.”

A GoFundMe page for Marcia and Jerry states that they were survived by their son Mark Savage, daughter Tammy Estep (Darrell), four grandchildren and seven great grand-grandchildren.

According to the Associated Press as of Wednesday, Oct. 2, at least 180 people in the southeastern portion of the U.S. have been killed as a result of Hurricane Helene.

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene, click here.

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