title: “Man injured during Heber tornado describes being thrown to the ground” url: “https://www.azfamily.com/2026/10/29/man-injured-during-heber-tornado-describes-being-thrown-ground/” author: “Steven Sarabia”
HEBER-OVERGAARD, AZ (AZFamily) — One week after a tornado tore through Heber, one man is sharing his story of how he was caught in the storm while riding his bike home with groceries.
Artem said his bike was gone in an instant, and the wind threw him around before the storm ended.
“I don’t think it’s my time yet. Somebody up there was saying, it’s not your time yet,” Artem said.
Caught in the wind
Artem said there was “a little bit of wind at first” as he rode home. He said the wind went from a breeze to something he could not fight.
“The wind came and flipped me around to go the other way. The force was just getting more and more,” Artem said.
He said the bike then left his hands.
“The next thing I know, the bike is flying. At that point, I got off the bike, and it just flew out of my hands, and I saw it go up, and then I realize I’m in the twister,” Artem said.
He said the wind then started to throw him around.
“Stuff was hitting me in the back, the neck,” Artem said. “Threw me in the mud, tumbled, and then it was over.”
Hospital and recovery
Firefighters reached Artem quickly and took him to the hospital.
“I was covered in mud, I was dirty, I had a neck brace, and I had a CT scan done at the hospital,” he said. “They gave me medication, and then they looked at the scan and said there’s no broken bones. Everything was OK.”
Artem was later able to go back home.
“I was so sore the first two days and just in shock. I couldn’t sleep. They say I had to rest, but I couldn’t. I was just so in shock,” Artem said.
Bike replaced for free
Artem said his bike did not survive the storm.
“The bike was wrecked. Everything was bent and snapped. The metal broke and snapped,” Artem said.
A local group, Amigos Brotherhood Charities, tracked down Artem after the storm and surprised him with an offer to replace the bike.
A representative with the group told Artem they would provide one free bike, funded through community donations and outreach. The group said they would drive Artem to Show Low to pick out a bike that suits his needs because he does not have transportation.
“Thank you so much, appreciate it, much love,” Artem said.
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