KILLED BY LIGHTNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21743, 7 March 1934, Page 13

KILLED BY LIGHTNING

INDIAN WOMAN STRUCK VIOLENT STORM IN FIJI [from our own SUVA, Feb. 2G • A series of heavy thunderstorms, accompanied by rain and lightning, have recently been experienced in the Sigatoka district, on the western coast of the main island of Viti Levu. Writing from that district a correspondent reports that these culminated with a particularly heavy storm on February 17. The lightning was particularly vivid and appeared to be close at hand.

It was discovered later that an Indian woman on the Colonial Sugar .Refining Company's estate at Olosara had been killed by lightning. The woman was inside a grass house at the time, and one of the sovereigns, which she was wearing Indian fashion on n necklet, was blackened and scorched by the lightning stroke. It was also reported that one European dwelling was struck, but without causing any damage to the occupants, and many coconut trees wero split asunder. Many narrow escapes were also re-cox-ded.

Deaths by lightning are occasionally reported in Fiji, but it is rare that anybody is struck and killed inside a dwelling. Although details of the occurrence are vague, it is assumed that the Indian woman who met her death was sitting in the open doorway, or just inside, and leceived the full effect of the flash.