Nineteen people were injured—three seriously—as a tornado ripped through the streets of Birmingham. The sudden storm damaged buildings, uprooted trees and trapped people in their homes. The Met Office estimates the wind speed may have reached 130mph. Damage was caused in Kings Heath, with "hundreds" of properties affected, council officials said. Emergency services used dogs and specialist equipment to see if anyone had been trapped in damaged buildings. Birmingham City Council set up a shelter at Aston University for people made temporarily homeless to spend the night. An ambulance spokesperson said: "The Ambulance Service has removed approximately 20 patients to Heartlands Hospital, Selly Oak Hospital, and Dudley. It looks like something from a film set. Julia Banner, eyewitness, said "One child was taken to Birmingham Children's' Hospital. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, although three patients were more seriously injured with fractures. "Numerous casualties have been treated on scene by ambulance crews and medics, many roads are blocked by fallen trees and ambulance staff were running on foot to reach casualties." West Midlands Fire Service said the areas affected included Kings Heath, Moseley, Quinton, Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook. | Ed Doolan (BBC WestMids), Carl Chinn (local historian), Stan Hems (KHBA Chairman), and Dr Lynne Jones MP all meet to access the damage. |
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