Watch CBS News

Twister sucks grad into storm through sunroof

One of the many missing people in Joplin, Mo. is Will Norton, who was driving home from his high school graduation when the tornado hit on Sunday.

Will was sucked through the sunroof of the car he was in with his father. His relatives know he was pulled through the car's roof and into the storm overhead. They haven't been able to find him since.

On "The Early Show," Will's sister, Sara Norton, and his aunt, Tracey Presslor, said they were in the car ahead of Will.

Deadliest tornado season 50 years - but why?
Joplin hospital treads on through destruction

Sara said, "We left about five minutes before them. We barely made it in the garage. Trees started blowing in. My dad called, he was talking to him. He was telling my brother, 'Pull over, pull over.' I heard the tornado whipping them around. I had a feeling they were flipping around in the air. It was just really scary. We just didn't know what to do."

Her father has since regained consciousness and is in stable condition.

Sara says they've been able to speak with him about what exactly happened to Will.

Pictures: Joplin, Mo., devastated by tornado
Joplin residents reeling after huge twister
Tornado slams Joplin, Mo.; Dozens feared dead

Sara explained, "He said he had his arms around Will when they started flipping and Will's seat belt snapped and he flew through the sunroof."

The family snapped into action after the call ended.

Presslor said, "My husband and I took off with our oldest son to try to find them. We came down the road and there was the car. We searched all night with a rescue team out of Tulsa."

Inside the vehicle, they located Will's graduation cap.

"There wasn't much in the car," Presslor said. "We found a cell phone, the registration, which is how we knew it was the car, it was damaged. They had to cut (Will's father) Mark out of it."

Presslor said the family got one tip, unconfirmed, that Will was checked into a hospital in Joplin, but has since been taken from one that hospital and transferred elsewhere.

Video: Joplin, Mo., survivor describes tornado
Video: Obama calls for aid in Missouri, Midwest
Video: Tornado makes direct hit on Joplin hospital

"He was alive. And ... he was transferred somewhere. We just don't know where," she said. "They think maybe Wichita, Kansas City. We have people checking. We don't want people calling the hospitals because they're being inundated with phone calls."

Will is 6' 4" with slender build. He has brown hair, blue eyes and slight freckles on his face and arms. If you have information on Will Norton, email findwillnorton@gmail.com, on Facebook, search Help Find Will Norton (Facebook.com/helpfindwillnorton) or call 757-751-will (9495).

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.