THE DEATH BY LIGHTNING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1426, 8 July 1865, Page 2

THE DEATH BY LIGHTNING.

An inquest was held, on Friday at the Forester's Hotel, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., M.D., the Coroner of the district, at 4 p.m., on the body of Archibald Macfarlane, who lost his life in the storm of the previous evening. Mr. Hugh Catherwood was chosen foreman of the jury. Tho following evidence was taken :— Peter Littlejohn deposed : I am a labourer residing at Addiugton. On Thursday last, the deceased and myself were going to Avonside, between six and seven p.m. About a quarter of a mile from Mr. Seuger's house, we were overtaken by the storm. We reached the house and knocked at the door. The next thing I saw was something like a ball of fire, " with a blue tail" to it. It came whizzing past my ear and stunned me for a while. I could not Bee Macfarlane, as it was dusk. A light was brought by a woman, and 1 saw liirn lying inside the door which had been opened in the meanwhile. He never spoke. We took him into the house, and did what we could to rouse hiin.but it was useless. A boy went, on horseback for medical assis-

tance. I did not see him struck, nor did I hear him fall. He wa« quite close to mo at the time. I gave information to the police of the circumstance. ■_ . , , T Courtney Nedwill, M.D., stated : I examined the body of the deceased} there were several external marks of injury. Both the temples were contused, and the hair on each temple was singed, as was also the hair on the back of the head. It was singed close to the skin. There was also a contusion from the back of the head to the sternum. I examined the head. The membranes of the brain were greatly congested. I expected to find the brain congested, but it was not so. fho calf of the right leg was contused a great deal, and the heel completely scorched as if his foot had been on a fire for some minuter lhe sole of his sock was completely burnt. The sole of his left foot was slightly scorched. The lungs were enormously congested with blood. The blood in the heart was not coagulated, and the heart itself very flabby. I Have no doubt but that lie died from the effects of lightning. The Coroner summed up, and a verdict of " Accidental Death" was returned.