Utahns awaiting loved ones' fate

The Purcell brothers are bookended with tragedy.

Duke, Melila and Larry Purcell were traveling from their homes in the American Samoa village of Leone to American Fork to attend their mother's funeral when their homeland was struck by Tuesday's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

And even as the large extended family gathers in Utah, preparing for the Friday services honoring the family matriarch, Vera Ta'eleileumete Atiga Tuiletufuga Purcell, thoughts of family and friends back home are on everyone's mind.

"I still can't believe it," said Larry Purcell, who teaches English at American Samoa Community College. "I see the pictures, but I don't want to believe it."

Larry Purcell's concern is tangible. His brothers brought their immediate families with them, but he left his wife and three children at home. He hasn't been able to reach them since the tsunami hit, but he hopes for the best.

"I am comforted because it happened early in the morning and everyone would still have been home, and we live in the mountains," he said. "I tried to e-mail her, because they said that the net was on, but she hasn't answered yet."

With many of American Samoa's 65,000 inhabitants related in some way, the Purcells know people who died Tuesday. They are joined by many Samoans in Utah who are waiting to hear if family members survived.

West Valley resident Ipula Tupea said he received a phone call Wednesday morning confirming the death of his cousin Emani Toilolo, who also lived in the village of Leone. Tupea said his cousin had been sick and was probably unable to escape the tsunami.

"I was really sad, but I also understand about this kind of situation," he said.

Tupea has many relatives in Leone and all but two others, Toilolo's children, have been found.

"They are in our prayers as we wait for more information," he said.

Although he is saddened by the death of his cousin, he expressed gratitude that the rest of his family survived.

Tupea's 70-year-old sister, Alofa Leofa, was trying to run to higher ground after she heard the tsunami and fell and broke her knee. She had surgery Wednesday and Tupea said she is doing well.

Tupea's niece Pat Tuivale said her husband's village, Aleipata, had been hard hit by the tsunami and his cousin was believed to have died.