Tulsa World: Military brings aid to tsunami victims

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Military brings aid to tsunami victims

By Associated Press
Published: 10/2/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 10/2/2009 4:35 AM

Convoys of military vehicles brought food, water and medicine to the tsunami-stricken Samoas on Thursday as the death toll rose to 160 and victims wandered through what was left of their villages with tales of being trapped underwater and watching young children drown.

A total of 160 people are confirmed dead, including 120 in Samoa, 31 in American Samoa and nine in Tonga. Hundreds of police and others resumed what Samoan police commander Lilo Maiava called "a painstaking search" for bodies that could continue for weeks.

The governments of the United States, Australia and New Zealand sent in supplies and troops, including a U.S. Navy frigate carrying two helicopters that will be used in search-and-rescue efforts.

Al Palmer returned to his home in American Samoa and saw nothing but rubble after Tuesday's 8.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. The tsunami swept his wife out of their home and sent her several hundred feet inland. She survived by grabbing a pole.

"It is unbelievable to think this was our home, and this is all that's left," he said.

New Zealand school teacher Charlie Pearse choked back tears as she spoke to New Zealand's TV One News from an Apia hospital bed in Samoa, recalling how she was trapped underwater and thought she was going to die.

She was in the back of a truck trying to outrun the tsunami with about 20 children when a wave tossed the truck and it landed on top of them.

"We all went under the water and I think a number of the children died instantly," Pearse said. "I asked, 'Is this my time to come home? Take me home, I'm ready,' and I let my breath out and I took a big gulp of water ... and I don't know, I just popped out (from under the water)," Pearse said. By Associated Press

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