Extended interview: 8-year-old Oklahoma boy on surviving EF-4 tornado

In this extended clip, 8-year-old River Garrett tells CBS News' Dave Malkoff about surviving an EF-4 tornado that hit his hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in May. "My mom said, and I say it to myself — I can't make this about me," River said.

#news #tornado #weather

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[katieg]

Oh my goodness. River is on a higher level than most of us. What an incredible child with a beautiful old soul.

[pcavesnana]

The interviewer was so good with this little guy.

[swilliams]

What a smart little guy. He is precious, and so caring. When he said, "I can't let this be about me..." Oohh. He will grow up to be a good man, he already has strong roots.

[debidelaney]

What a handsome little man. So aware and intelligent! May his future be bright and peaceful.

[aprilmcknight]

He is so mature and loving, he must have great parents

[zuzuspetals]

God bless that young boy. He is wise beyond his years.

[LisaPrecious]

respect for CBS's reporter on doing such a caring, respectful and charming take on a news story. He and River's interview was of the ilk we rarely see on TV news anymore...

[AndreaCrisp]

Thank you for sharing this interview. The reporter did an amazing job connecting with the child and letting him talk. When he said that it couldn't be about him I started to cry. Life can be so hard. I'm glad he's okay and has his family to help him through. What a precious soul.

[BonnieBlue]

The weight of the world is on his little shoulders. Bless his sweet little heart. Lord be with him and his family and community.

[renaepetersen]

That's a smart kid. It's hard to balance the part where you "can't make it all about me" with dealing with the part that really is about you. You experienced it, you lost everything that was familiar in a matter of minutes. Yes, a lot of people did, but your loss is no less important. But when an 8- year old kid can understand that when you put others first, it gives you purpose, and that in turn will give you strength, that's pretty amazing.

[lain]

What a sweet, brave, articulate and extremely resilient little kid. Support and love from Ireland 💚😔

[travels]

Yep, he’s definitely has a purpose in this life

[janeayre]

He’s adorable. I hope we can save enough of our planet for him to grow up.

[Noneya]

Precious child has been through so much😢
He has a beautiful perspective

[dee]

I see a future community leader who cares about everyone.

[deborahweber]

What a treasure River is! I don’t even know how this child’s ❤ fits in his chest! Kudos to his family for the extraordinary young man they are raising!

[CrossCultural-cf]

An articulate 8 year old! His vocabulary is remarkable.

[terose]

He's so precious, and it stinks to get hit by a tornado when so many others don't and go on with their normal life...your life totally changes, not anything normal at all. PLEASE keep tornado victims in your prayers

[gfxgirl]

❤River, you are such a WONDERFUL young man!!!! Blessings to you and your family! So happy that you are all safe!!

[mammamia]

What an intelligent conversation between this sweet kind hearted smart young man and reporter. Im so sorry his family lost their home in such a devastating way. Prayers they get a new home quickly 🙏