Rock City Running owner looks back on saving man’s life during March 31 tornado
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – With many reflecting on the March 31 tornado, the owner of a Little Rock running store looked back on the tumultuous day and the life he was able to save during the chaos.
Bill Torrey is the owner of Rock City Running and was preparing for the Capital City Classic Race when the tornado hit outside his business. During the chaos, he said he saw a helpless man in the parking lot.
“A gentleman had gotten out of his car, and he was trying to get across to the door fronts,” he said.
Rock City Running reopens after tornado; employees call it ‘surreal’
Torrey said the wind was so powerful that it began damaging cars, eventually knocking the man over.
“I didn’t want nobody at my store to die, and I didn’t want this gentleman to die either, so I went out the door after him to help him get into any place safe,” Torrey said.
This all took place as the tornado continued to damage businesses around them.
After finally making it back, he said the man quickly went into a corner to protect himself, as Torrey tried to hold the glass doors shut that ended up breaking.
Little Rock runners begin the journey to rebuild Rock City Running after deadly tornado
Torrey said he took a hard fall to the ground, one of his legs was left cut open from glass and his business was ruined, but relief came from knowing everyone was safe.
“To me, that was the most important thing,” he said. “You helped somebody and protected somebody so that they didn’t lose their life.”
Torrey’s business is now successfully rebuilt, giving him the opportunity to meet the man he saved.
“I just said, ‘Can I help you?” and he said, ‘Well I just wanted to reintroduce myself and I want to thank you for saving my life,’” Torrey recalled.
Capital City Classic 10K race coming back to Little Rock metro
Torrey and volunteers are now getting ready for this weekend’s Capital City Classic race. He said he’s proud to have overcome the tornado and he’s looking forward to a good turnout for the 10k race.
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