STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19563, 16 February 1927, Page 10

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

TRAM DAMAGED AT EPSOM. MOTORMAN'S LUCKY ESCAPE. HAIR OF HEAD SINGED. PROMPT ACTION STOPS CAR. A tramcar was struck by lightning at Epsom during the height of the storm last evening and the motorinan, Mr. William Tee, had what must be accounted a providential escape. The experience left him severely shaken and the hair.at the back of his neck was singed. The tramcar, which was bound from Greenwood's Conner to the city, was nearing the Epsom tramway depot. It contained no passengers. The time was twenty minutes to seven, and the thunderstorm was raging afc its fiercest. Suddenly there .was an exceptionally vivid flash of lightning, which struck the overhead tramway wire and travelled down the trolley pole and through the car to the earth. There was a burst of flame on the forward platform, and the motorman reeled back from the shock. He said afterwards that it felt as if someone had dealt him a severe blow on the back of the neck. Even in the tense moment of the ordeal, however, he displayed the utmost coolness and with com mendable presence of mind instantly shut off the power and brought the car to a standstill. The conductor, Mr. G. McLean, rushed to the front of the tram and was relieved to find Mr. Tee had escaped so lightly. The experience had plainly shaken him, but, being iyoung and powerfully-built, he did not take it seriously. All. he would admit was a pain at the back of the neck and the singeing of his hair. The conductor brought the car on to the depot at half-power, one of the two motors having been disabled by the lightning. The tramcar was placed in the depot for repairs.. The wires in. the car fused, causing the lights to go out.. Mr. Tee, who declared lie would soon be all right, set off for his home. Air electric'trams are fitted with lightning conductors to safeguard the public and employees against the risk, of injury when there is lightning about. The circuits take the electrical discharge from the atmosphere and conduct it to earth clear of the occupants of the cars. '1 he opinion was expressed last evening by Mr. A. E. Ford,. general manager of tramways, that during lightning storms the public were probably more safe .in the trams than anywhere else. Additional safeguards were provided by reason of the fact' that all the seats and the floors were made of timber, a non-conductor of lightning.