KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1919, Page 4

KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

A BUSH TRAGEDY

Wanganui, Feb 2o,

Additional particulars have been received by tlie police regarding the tragic fate of Messrs Wheeler and M’Leaii, whose remains were found in the bush at Mangaturoa, near Raetilii, on Suuday. The men were working, on a survey, and at the time death overtook them, back in November, they were employed cutting a track through the bush from one trig-station to another. Judging by the position in which the bodies were found, they bad just felled a giant rirnu tree when a violent thunderstorm broke overhead. They took shelter under another large tree, carrying the tools with them. This tree was struck by lightning about thirty feet from the ground, and the trunk bore marks when: the current had travelled downward, ripping the bark and burning rubbish around the foot of the iree. This was blackened, and it crumbled to the touch. The bodies were too decomposed to show any indication of the manner of death, and it was presumed from the position i’l which they were found that they were struck by the death-dealing current as they leaned against the tree. At tlie inquest a verdict of accidental death through being struck by lightning was returned.