‘Not knowing is worse’: tornado survivor at candle factory awaits news of missing boyfriend

Autumn Kirks took shelter and glanced away from her boyfriend, who was 10ft away, and when she looked back he was gone

Workers on the night shift at the candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, were part of the holiday rush that was keeping the place going around the clock when a tornado whirled towards the small city and the word went out to duck and cover".

Autumn Kirks pulled down her safety googles and took shelter, tossing aside wax and fragrance buckets to make room for herself.