‘Happy That I’m Alive’: Survivor Recalls Deadly Manitoba Tornado Hitting Jeep

A first responder checks on an overturned vehicle at the scene where a tornado touched down, uprooting trees and overturning two vehicles near Virden, Man., Aug. 7, 2020. The Canadian Press/HO-Wallace District Fire Department

DEN, Man.—James Blacksmith closes his eyes and goes back to the moment he saw a pine tree viciously uprooted from the earth and topple onto his Jeep’s roof.

Within seconds, the windows burst from the force of a deadly tornado and the Manitoba man struggled against wind and spiraling glass to hold his head down.