TERRIFFIC THUNDERSTORM AT INVERCARGILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1535, 15 November 1883, Page 2

TERRIFFIC THUNDERSTORM AT INVERCARGILL.

| THREE'PERSONS KILLED, Invercakgill, November 14. The weather for some days past has been of a threatening character, and this ; afternoon it suddenly culminated in a heavy, thunderstorm over the-town, accompanied by a deluge of rain and hail. Unfortunately, the Btorm was marked by afatalaocident on the eastern confine of the town, at a small station knownias Ellis-rOad. When tho storm was at its height about 4 p.m., several persons were [ nt the station waiting the arrival of the out train from Clinton; among them were Messrs Arthur Crisp and F. G. Stone, two prominent officials of the Oddfellows of the Manchester Unity, who wero on their way to establish a lodge at Mataura. While waiting at the door of: the sheltershed, a very vivid flash of lightning, ."which was remarked all over ihe'town, struck the station. Crisp only survived \)h Bhock for a short time, but Stone was scovohed down the arm and dfzed, while others felt the effects' of the electrioity in a slighter degree. Tho weatherboards of the station were driven off, and thrown across the rail traok, One of the piles of tho platform was 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, and was the leading spirit'in nil benevolent' and political affairs, He had been a Councillor of the 'Borough of South Inveroargill, where ho' resided, and was N.G, of tho. District Lodge of Oddfellows, and in that capacity was making his journey, He leaves a widow and a large family of young child' ren. A rumor, which is apparently well founded, has been circulated here 1 , to the effect that two' children named Fraser have been killed by lightning at the. Gap- ' Mad Station, on the northern line, and about seventeen miles from town. Their parents are also said to have been either injured by the lightning or to have been prostrated by the calamity to theiv ohildren.; The storm was unprecedented in its results injhis distriot. .The telegraph poles have been Bplit, and telephones in town were charged with electricity, and : the bells in the various qflicos were ringing frequently. On the inner Bide of Crisp's leg.the representation of a troe'was djatinotly marked as if photographed.