TORNADO AT HUNTLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9690, 19 June 1917, Page 5

TORNADO AT HUNTLY

BUILDINGS DAMAGED. HOUSE LIFTED AND CARRIED AWAY. Pres* Association. HAMILTON, June 18. A most destructive tornado or whirlwind occurred at Himtly yesterday morning, tho like of which was never experienced in the district before. When first noticed it struck a milkingshed belonging to W. G. Raidall, a Imlf-caste, who resides opposite the Kimihia cemetery, on the west side of the river, about two miles below bluntly. Hero it picked up a big wagon, smashing it to matchwood. Then it came aero?;; the river, picking up water cn route and sending it 60 feet high. \ It next struck the cemetery, smashing fifteen headstones into atoms; then crossed the road, striking the house of James Dooley. Tho occupants, Air and Airs Dooley, a nephew, and a niece (.Alias Alary Patterson), heard the tornado approaching, and went outside, but, not anticipating danger, returned. The tornado, however, shortly afterwards struck the dwelling with great force tearing it from the blocks and carrying it between 100 and 200 yards, reducing it to matchwood. The occupants, with the exception of Aliss Patterson, managed to escape, but tho unfortunate young lady was carried about thirty yards with the fast-dis-appearing building before she -was rescued. She appeared to be badly knocked* about, and was immediately conveyed to the Waikato hospital, where it was found she was badly bruised about the body, in addition to being cut about the head and face, necessitating the putting in of sixteen stitches. At Dooley’s place the whirlwind picked up a spring-cart and sulky, carrying them about 200 yards, and smashing them to bits,. It then made towards the old coalmine at Kimihia, and struck Mrs llussoll’s milking-shcd, picking it up, together with a separator, and considerably damaging the same. An eye-witness states that as the tornado was crossing tho river sheets of iron and limbs of, trees could bo seen flying through the air. Tho track of tbe tornado was about twenty yards wide. Tire sight of the devastation to those outside its range ■was very impressive and awe-inspiring.