Lightning kills boy (13) on motorcycle in KZN Photos: X/@ZANewsFlash
Lightning kills boy (13) on motorcycle in KZN
A 13-year-old boy, Nathan Vorster, died after being struck by lightning in Glencoe near Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal.
Lightning kills boy (13) on motorcycle in KZN Photos: X/@ZANewsFlash
A 13-year-old boy died after being struck by lightning in Glencoe near Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
LIGHTING KILLS BOY (13) ON MOTORCYCLE IN KZN
The storm, which hit Dundee and the surrounding areas on Monday night, lasted 45 minutes and injured six more people.
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A trail of devastation was also left in places within the Umgungundlovu district municipality (Pietermaritzburg and outlying areas).
THE THUNDERSTORM LASTED 45 MINUTES
According to reports by the KwaZulu-Natal Center for Disaster Management, the thunderstorm lasted 45 minutes.
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Maroela Media identified the victim as 13-year-old Nathan Vorster, a learner at Dundee Junior School. In a post on Facebook, the Middelburg Wrestling Club expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Vorster family.
According to the post, Nathan was a wrestler at the North Natal Rhinos wrestling club.
NATHAN WAS RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
It is believed Nathan was riding his motorcycle when lightning struck him.
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Another six people were injured when roofs and walls collapsed or fell on them. Some victims were rushed to a hospital, while others received treatment at home.
SIX OTHER PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN ROOFS AND WALLS COLLAPSED OR FELL ON THEM
The spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs said several houses in the settlement were flooded and fallen trees blocked roads.
“A preliminary assessment of the damage indicates that 173 houses have been damaged, affecting 1,211 people. Businesses were also damaged and surrounding farmers lost livestock and crops.”
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs said.
Damages were also recorded in areas under the control of the Umgungundlovu District Municipality. A few houses were damaged, but no injuries or deaths have been reported so far.
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MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED IN SEVERAL PARTS OF SA
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service has predicted more rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday for parts near the Drakensberg, as well as Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg.
A yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, hail, strong winds and flash floods has been issued for these parts, as well as Gauteng and parts of Mpumalanga and North West.
Disaster management teams of the local government have delivered blankets, mattresses, and food parcels to the affected areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
AFFECTED FAMILIES WILL BE ASSISTED IN KWAZULU-NATAL
Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, MEC for cooperative government and traditional affairs in the province, said disaster management teams will continue to assist affected families.
“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing devastating rain in our province, which is an alarming indication of global warming is.”
She urged residents to heed weather warnings and move to safer areas move when told to do so.
