Lightning kills 3 in FS
2005-03-03 11:32
Bethlehem - Three people were killed and one injured by lightning in separate incidents in the eastern Free State on Wednesday, police said.
Police spokesperson Constable Christopher Mophiring said on Thursday a 42-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were struck by lightning under a tree on a farm near Bethlehem.
"They were standing under a willow tree at the Bamboes vegetable farm when the lightning struck and they were killed instantly," Mophiring said.
The two had been part of a group of workers harvesting dry beans when it started raining. About seven workers went for shelter under the tree.
Mophiring said in another lightning incident Jantjies Khanye, 73, of Qalabotjha near Villiers was killed while herding cattle.
Paramedics certified him dead on arrival at hospital.
A 50-year-old woman from Thabana-Tshoana in Qwa Qwa was in a stable condition on Thursday in the Bethlehem provincial hospital after she was struck by lightning.
Mophiring said residents, who phoned an ambulance, found her lying helpless on the ground.
"She is in a stable condition even though she cannot talk properly," Mophiring said.
- SAPA