FATAL THUNDERSTORM.
The weather at Invercargill for some days has been of a threatening character, and yesterday afternoon it suddenly culminated in a heavy thunder storm over the tde town, accompanied by a deluge of rain and hail. The moisture was much wanted. Unfortunately the storm was marked by a fatal accident.’ ■ On the eastern confine of the town is a small railway station known as EJlis road, and when the storm was at its height, about 4pm., several persons were there waiting the arrival of an out train for Glinton. Among them were Mr Arthur Crisp and Mr 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 a shelter shed a very vivid flash of lightning, which was remarked all over the town, struck the s ation. Mr Crisp only survived the shook a short time. Mr Stone was scorched down the arm and dazed, while others felt the effects of the electricity in a slighter degree. The weatherboards of the station were driven off, and thrown across the rails, the track of the fluid from one nail to another being visible. The building was shattered, and one of the piles of the platform split. Mr Crisp was conveyed to the hospital, but nothing could be done for him. Mr Stone went home somewhat, stunned. Mr Crisp was a laboring man, but very widely known in the district, and the leading spirit in benevolent and political affairs. He had been 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 the journey. He leaves a widow and largafamily of young children. A rumor, apparently well founded, has been circulated to the effect that two children, named Fraser, have also been killed by lightning at the Gap, a road station on the Northern line, about 17 miles from the town. Their parents are also said to be injured or prostrated by the calamity. The storm is unprecedented in its results in this district. Telegraph poles have been split, and the telephones in town were charged with electricity, bells in offices ringing frequently. On the inner side of Mr Crisp’s leg the repressntation of a tree was distinctly marked as if photographed.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18831115.2.13
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 15 November 1883, Page 2
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392FATAL THUNDERSTORM. Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 15 November 1883, Page 2
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