Lightning kills man
2009-04-30
WITH the first of the winter rain settling over the valley last week, a man died when he was struck by lightning. Samuel Mutizwa (25) of Phola Park, Mbekweni, was part of a team of workers which were planting poles in a vineyard on Babylonstoren farm in Simondium. This farm has been bought from the Louw family by media giant, Koos Bekker, and intensive renovations to both the farmstead and the agricultural facilities are taking place. On Thursday Mutizwa was taking a lunch break, and with an uneaten sandwich still in his hand, he was struck by a bolt of lightning. He died instantly. The chances of a person being struck by lightning is estimated to be 1 in 700 000. Lightning can travel up to 220 000 km per hour, with the temperature of the bolt reaching 54 000 degrees C, thus the chances of survival are even less than that of being struck. When thunder rumbles, seek shelter in a permanent building or enclosed vehicle, and do not touch metallic objects.
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