Miracle of Alabama: Parents watch as eight-year-old boy is sucked into tornado at 200mph... but LIVES to tell tale

When the wind died down his terrified family looked up to see him walking towards them – and were stunned to see he was still alive.

Reginald Jr, known as RJ, was at home in Coaling, Alabama when the tornado swept through at 200mph.

Speaking from his hospital bed in the Regional Medical Centre in Tuscaloosa, Mr Epps said that the family were watching the TV when they heard the tornado could be coming towards them.

The firefighter said: 'It was just after 5pm and I was due to be at work an hour later, but I thought I'd wait and see what was going to happen.

'I had just got some flashlights for me and my wife and we were all in the kitchen when we heard the wind pick up. Then the windows at the back of the house blew out, it was like they popped.

'I shouted at RJ to get up and come with us to the bedroom but when we made it in this roar started.

'I looked up and the walls and the roof came away and RJ few off with them.

'It happened in an instant, he just got sucked away from me. I tried to reach up for him but I couldn't stop him. It was like he was on a bit of string being pulled from behind.

'Then I got down on top of James whilst Danielle got on top of Joel to protect them. I got hit by flying glass and other stuff and we held on and prayed for our lives.

'Danielle was saying: 'God, protect us! God protect us!' and I said to James in his ear, I will never forget his face: 'It's OK buddy, I'm here for you, I'll protect you'.'

After just 30 seconds the tornado passed on, leaving their home utterly destroyed.

Mr Epps said: 'When it settled down I could see this dark silhouette walking towards us and realised it was RJ.

'I couldn't believe it.