TERRIBLE THUNDERSTORM.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3314, 15 November 1883, Page 3

TERRIBLE THUNDERSTORM.

THREE PERSONS KILLED, [By Telegraph .J Inveecabgill, Nov. 14. The weather for some days has been of a threatening character, and this afternoon suddenly culminated in a heavy thunderstorm over the town, accompanied by a deluge of rain and hail. Unfortunately the storm was marked by a fatal accident. On the eastern confine of the town is a small station, known as Ellis Road,and when the storm was at its height, about 4 p.m. several persons were there waiting the arrival of the out train for Clinton. Among them were Arthur Crisp and F, G. Stone, prominent officials of the Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, on their way to establish a Lodge at Mataura. While waiting at the door of the shelter shed,a very vivid flash of lightning, which was remarked all over the town, struck the station. Crisp only survived the shock a short time. Stone was scorched down the arm, and dazed, while others felt the effects of the electricity in a slighter degree. The weather-boards of the station were driven and thrown across the rails, the track of tho fluid from one nail to another being visible. A stud of the building was shattered and one of the piles of the platform split. Crisp was conveyed to the Hospital, but nothing could be done for him. Stone went home somewhat stunned. Crisp was a laboring man, but very widely known in the district as a leading spirit in benevolent and political affairs. He had been a Councillor of the Borough of South Invercargill, where he resided, and was N.G. of the District Lodge of Oddfellows, and in that capacity was making a journey. He leaves a widow and a large family of young children. On the inner side of Crisp’s leg is the representation of a tree distinctly narked as if photographed. TSXS DAY. The following is thojatateiuent of tho <naß Stone who was with Crisp when tho latter was killed by lightning. “ About .4.20, p.m, we were standing in the .shelter shed at Ellis Road waiting for tho outgoing train. Crisp was standing ..about four feet inside the doorway .with his face to the south. I was close

to him but facing the other way. There had been numerous flashes of lightning, then a lull, when suddenly I felt a sensation as if my knees were drawn towards my head. A cloud came over my eyes and I remember no more till I found myself trying to rise. My bands were cramped with a tingling sensation and were discolored. I called out to Crisp, who was lying on his back about six feet away. I went close to him and in a few seconds he said, ‘ Stone, I’m a dead man.’ Another man who was in the building got up and ran away and hid himself in a partially built house, but some ladies and children were huddled in a corner, apparently stupefied by the shock. Crisp was afterwards removed to the hospital but, he was quite dead.” To-day news reached town of two other deaths from lightning at Forest Hill. Two daughters of Mr Kilpatrick, aged ten and eight years, were overtaken by a storm and took refuge in a stable where some men had preceded them. The eldest girl stood in the doorway, when a flash came and struck her, death being instantaneous. The other occupants escaped with a scorching, but a horse and a dog were destroyed. At North Forest Hill, in the same district, a boy named McGregor, about 15 years of age, was struck to the ground, and never spoke again. In another quarter six telegraph poles were shattered.