VIOLENT ENGLISH STORM

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 13

VIOLENT ENGLISH STORM

MANY FATALITIES REPORTED WHIRLWINDS AND TIDAL WAVES. CROWD SCATTERED BY LIGHTNING. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian Press Association. Received July 21, 11.15 p.m. gun. London, July 21. Unprecedented tropical heat all day long had as a climax in the South and south-east coastal, London and surrounding areas, a sudden storm of sharp ferocity, one of the worst in living memory. There were tidal waves all round the coast. Several people were killed by lightning and three drownings have'already bee?i reported. Dozens were injured. Heavy damage was done at many places. A tidal wave at Folkestone accompanied by a whirlwind caused a panic among the thousands of holiday-makers. A terrific flash of lightning struck the Slough dog-racing stadium and threw the spectators in all directions. Six arc unconscious.

Many were buried under canvas at the Ashdown pageant owing to the roof collapsing in the gale. Other casualties are reported in many districts on the south coast.

There were the strangest of scenes on the roads towards London last night. Motorists were forced to abandon long lines of cars on the flooded roads. The Kew railway bridge has been flooded and trains have stopped. Saturdaynight shoppers everywhere were drenched. Buildings were struck by lightning.