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Jordan King is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her current focus is on religion, health, food safety and population. She has covered the persecution of religions in the global south, fertility and birth rate issues around the world, multiple disease outbreaks in the U.S. and ongoing vaccination discourse. Jordan joined Newsweek in 2024 from The Evening Standard and had previously worked at Metro.co.uk, she has background in international human-interest stories and is a graduate of Kingston University, in London. You can get in touch with Jordan by emailing j.king@newsweek.com. Languages: English.
Jordan King
US News Reporter
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A father and son were killed by a tornado while playing golf in Georgia on Sunday.
Former police officer Matthew Collins Jr., 29, and his father, Matthew Collins Sr., 58, died after a tree fell on them at Bull Creek Golf Course in Midland, according to Columbus news broadcaster WTVM.
Trees destroyed in Tylertown, Mississippi, following a tornado in March.
Trees destroyed in Tylertown, Mississippi, following a tornado in March.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
What To Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it “strongly believes” the men “weren’t in the direct path of the tornado, but very strong inflow winds helped to snap the trees.” The EF-1 tornado spun at 90 miles per hour when it hit the golf course.
The father and son suffered blunt force and crushing trauma, according to the Muscogee County Coroner.
Friends of the Collins family have created a fundraising page to raise money to help cover funeral costs and provide support for both of the victims’ wives.
Their goal was to raise $20,000, which has now been surpassed with at least $22,053 raised as of Tuesday.
What People Are Saying
Columbus mayor Skip Henderson, who is a golfer himself, said: “It just makes you want to hold on to the people you love and hug them every day. I have a son not much older than the young man involved, and I know any time he and I can get together and play some golf, it’s a special time.”
Friends of the Collins family said in the fundraiser: “Matthew Jr. was a loyal friend, a kindhearted soul, and someone who always showed up for the people in his life. He shared a deep bond with his father, and losing both of them so suddenly is a devastating blow to everyone who knew and loved them.”
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
