Yahoo Autos New York Man Dies Protecting Cherished 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 From Storm
Debris from tornado-force winds that swept through upstate New York on Tuesday killed 82-year-old Robert Popple, a Canastota resident. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Wednesday that a neighbor reported that Popple left his home during the storm to check on his ivory 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 and was "swept away" while attempting to cover the car.
Top image: Storm damage in Canastota caused structural damage and power outages. No other casualties or injuries have been reported.
Popple purchased the Galaxie five years ago and showed it at local car shows at Flo’s Diner in Canastota, Syracuse.com reported. He was well-connected in the community and drove the Galaxie around town to the local diner and to visit friends. He had owned multiple classic cars over the years and reportedly spent much of his time in the driveway working on the Galaxie, said Cesario, who often helped Popple tend to the car.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Bob was killed trying to protect that car,” Cesario told Syracuse.com. “He was trying to stake a tarp around it to protect it from flying debris.”
Severe storms, including at least five radar-confirmed tornadoes, hit upstate New York on Tuesday. Power outages affecting over 170,000 customers across New York State and extensive storm damage in affected cities led Governor Hochul to declare a statewide state of emergency on Tuesday. Canastota suffered downed trees, power outages, and structural damage in the wake of the storm, but at this time no other casualties or major injuries have been reported.
Governor Hochul held a moment of silence for Popple during her July 17 visit to Rome, NY. "Let's just recognize this 82-year-old, who just was out there living life as one does and unexpectedly swept from us," she said.
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