LOOK: Lightning strikes Free State farm, narrowly missing cattle

In a heart-stopping moment for Free State farmer Pierre van Eeden, a bolt of lightning struck dangerously close to where a group of cattle had been standing just minutes before.

LOOK: LIGHTNING STRIKES FREE STATE FARM, NARROWLY MISSING CATTLE

The incident occurred Monday afternoon at the Heuninglaagte farm in the Edenville district, creating a tense situation for the farmer and his workers.

Pierre was busy planting around 4 pm when the storm rolled in. Initially, he was unaware of the lightning strike. His brothers-in-law, Eppie Hanekom and Ketsi Cleote, working at the barn, heard the loud sound and witnessed smoke rising from the field.

THEY HEARD THE LOUD SOUND AND WITNESSED SMOKE RISING FROM THE VELD

The lightning struck a line wire, melting the top wire. Pierre speculates:

“I assume the beam then moved through the dropper towards the ground and then ran further into the ground, as we could see the burn mark behind there.”

Pierre van Eeden

He told the media what makes the situation even more astonishing is that just moments before the lightning struck, cows and calves had gathered at a water trough a mere 40 meters away. Pierre expressed relief.

COWS AND CALVES HAD GATHERED THERE MOMENTS BEFORE THE LIGHTNING STRUCK

“I was pretty sure we’d find a lot of dead animals, but everyone happily gave way when the weather turned heavy.”

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Pierre shared a shocking photo on his Facebook profile of the aftermath of the lightning strike. The burn marks and melted wire testify to the intensity of the incident.

A LEVEL 2 WARNING IS IN PLACE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

Meanwhile, the SA Weather Services (SAWS) issued a level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms today in several parts of the country.

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“Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects during storms. Park cars under the shelter. “

SAWS

The following parts of South Africa will be affected by the conditions:

• Kagisano/Molopo / Tosca
• Joe Morolong / Hotazel
• Mangaung – Naledi / Vryburg
• Greater Taung / Taung
• Mamusa / Schweizer-Reneke
• Dikgatlong / Barkly West
• Lekwa-Teemane / Bloemhof
• Letsemeng / Koffiefontein
• Kopanong / Fauresmith
• Mangaung / Bloemfontein Airport
• Naledi / Wepener
• Mohokare / Aliwal North

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