TERRIFIC SHOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 6

TERRIFIC SHOCK

TERROR OF LIGHTNING PICNICKERS' ORDEAL MAN'S GRAPHIC STORY -v [jfBOM OTO OWN correspondent] ' SYDNEY. Jan. W This season Sydney and other parts 0 f New South Wales have experienced many unusually severe electrical storms, which have been accompanisd by many fatalities; Storms of this character took place in many of the country districts at the last week-end.

A graphic story oi* the terrifying experience of a party of picnickers in the West Maitland district, when a tree was struck by lightning cn Sunday, was told by Mr. B. Stfin. Powerless to move through the paralysing effect of the shock, Mr. Stein ami two girls, Dulcie Wright, aged 20, and Joyce Greenwood, aged 19, who were sheltering from a sudden storm, endured agony which Mr. Stein described as unparalleled. He said that his body boro fern-like markings across the chest, down the back, and on the legs and arms, resembling the cuts and marks of stitchen that would remain after a major operation. He also had on one ankle evidence oi the severity of the burns he had received.

"We saw nothing and we heard nothing," said Mr. Stein. "All I knew was that I was paralysed—powerless in every respect except in mind—and suffering intense and indescribable pain. I ' was standing still, apparently glued to the tree, and although I could not move my head, I saw the stiffened body of Mist Wright slowly tilting; and falling toward the ground. It v/as like a slow motion picture. Her feet did not move from where she was standing. Her body remained suspended until her head waj within £ few inches of the ground, and then, as if drawn by some invisible force,, she fell with increased speed. Agonising Experience

"The suspense was agonising. 1 tried to leave the tree, bufc I was absolutely powerless. Then I fell, myself being lifted, and I felt my feet being .drawn from ray shoes, which remained securely fixed to the ground. I lapsed into unconsciousness, and I came to a couple of minutes later on the grounl near by. Miss Greenwood was lying on the ground semiconscious, but her fastened shoes were still in the hollow of the tree where she had been standing.

"Miss Wright was blue in the face, and it was five minuses before she showed signs of consciousness. As we lay on the ground still helpless my one aim in the intense agony was ta get away, and my terrifying fear was that I would bo paralysed for life. Then slowly power returned to my arms and legs and I could walk, though it was an extraordinary effort. My feet were heavy, and with each step the foot was drawn back to the ground, striking the surface with unusual force. Suffering iiTom Shock "Subsequently the three of ua were rescued by a party of picnickers near by and the two girls -?rere taken home by ambulance." . Stein later recovered sufficiently to ride his motor-cycle home, and although next day he was still showing signs of distress, he was able to follow his occupation. Ihe gills were still suffering from shock. It is explained scientifically that Mr! Stein and the others could not have, received the full shock, but a relatively small oscillation between clod and ground. Most of their experiences would be in thought only, for the charge would pass through the bodies in one' hundredthousandth of a second. „