(June 12, 2008)—Officials Thursday identified the four teenage Boy Scouts who died when a tornado struck a scout camp Wednesday evening in Iowa as Aaron Eilerts, 14, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; and Josh Fennen, 13, Sam Thomsen, 13, and Ben Petrzilka, 14, all of Omaha, Neb.

Another 35 injured scouts and scout leaders were taken to hospitals in western Iowa and in Omaha, Neb, Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Eugene Meyer said, including three with serious skull, pelvic and spinal injuries.

Twenty less seriously injured victims were treated and later released, Meyer said.

The Boy Scouts and their leaders at a western Iowa scout ranch had little or no warning before a twister struck Wednesday night.

One scout who survived the twister said it took only eight seconds for the tornado to pass, but said, “That was the longest eight seconds I’ve ever had.”

Meanwhile, authorities say two people are dead in northern Kansas after tornadoes cut a diagonal path across the state Wednesday night.

At the scout camp, some of the scouts were out on a hike while others huddled, frightened, in a shelter as the twister destroyed the camp, flattening buildings and tents.

Rescue workers cut their way through downed branches and dug through debris in the rain and lightning to reach the camp.

Ninety-three scouts, ages 13 to 18, and 25 staff members were attending a weeklong leadership training camp.

One scout said he saw another boy with his head split open, describing it as "a pretty gruesome image."

Some scouts sought shelter near the fireplace in a cabin at the camp, but the fireplace collapsed when the tornado struck.

Iowa rescue officials now say all the scouts and staffers have been accounted for.

They've been continuing a search in case there was anyone else on the 1,800-acre ranch north of Omaha.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver praised the Boy Scouts for their heroic rescue efforts.

After the tornado, several of the campers used chain saws and other tools to begin freeing those left trapped under piles of debris.

Others set up a triage system and uninjured scouts administered first aid to victims, using techniques that they had practiced just the day before.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who’s an Eagle Scout himself, expressed condolences to the scouts and their families Thursday.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Boy Scouts and their families in Iowa as they recover from the tragedy and loss suffered yesterday evening,” Perry said.

“I am deeply proud of the heroic efforts made by the Boy Scouts to protect each other even in the midst of such chaos. I am certain that many lives were saved and injuries prevented because of the training that they learned out in the wilderness this very week.

“The skills practiced by these scouts will continue to serve them the rest of their lives and grow them into some of the most exceptional leaders in their communities.”