Boy (13) dies after tragic lightning strike as vicious storm hammers Glencoe
Reports are also being received of the Tayside pumping station being underwater which could compromise Endumeni's water supply. The Vryheid/Dundee road is also flooded near Cotswold farm.
A 13-year-old boy, one of a twin, tragically died when he was struck by lightning on a farm outside Glencoe last night.
The tragedy occurred when a vicious storm struck the area, cutting a swathe of destruction through the town.
Nathan Vorster’s passing was confirmed this morning by various Glencoe Security group members who worked tirelessly to assist those whose homes and properties were damaged.
Nathan was a Grade 6 pupil at Dundee Junior School and he was also a keen sports boy. He also wrestled for the Rhinos Wrestling Club and coach, Steven Brown, described him as ‘always smiling and a friendly, well-mannered boy.’
The Courier expresses its deepest condolences to the family.
Hail, wind and over 100mm of rain hammered residents as trees were felled, roofs blown off and many homes flooded. The Glencoe Old Age Home was also damaged.
See videos here, courtesy of Leandi du Plessis:
A large tree continued to block the main road, Karelandman Street, this morning with trees also down in many other areas. Concrete walls collapsed in nature’s onslaught with the Blue Barrel Health Centre (on Simpson Crescent), previously the Junction, a lot of damage when the former Glencoe municipal swimming pool overflowed and the water washed away a section of the wall.
Dave and Elmarie van der Westhuizen are still cleaning up their flooded home on the complex.
Showing great community spirit, volunteers stepped forward with chainsaws and other equipment to assist residents whose properties were damaged by fallen trees. Special mention was made of Andre Vorster who went out of his way to assist those in need. He was still busy today, using his chain saw to help those whose homes were stricken by fallen trees.
Hosking Street resident Alex Kirstein described how he had to knock holes in a precast wall to allow flood water damming up to flow into the street.
“The water rushed through our entire house – only the bedroom was saved. Trees came down, the wall collapsed and a roofing section from a neighbour’s outbuilding came flying into our yard,” he said.
Ironically, hail also broke his rain meter which overflowed at 100mm.
There was also extensive damage in Sithembile where many residents, including the Courier’s Fathima Zubane, reported damage to their homes. Glenridge also suffered amid the storm’s fury.
Electricity was knocked out in many areas.
Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni’s Disaster Manager and his team, worked tirelessly from last night and are still on the ground assisting stranded residents.
“Even the Welcome to Glencoe sign at the entrance to the town was destroyed. This was one of the worst storms I have seen,” he said.
Ward Councillor, Saleem Abdool, said disaster teams and electricians were out in force in Glencoe.
“Power was knocked out in some areas. I ask residents to be patient while we attend to the faults. Thanks to all who came forward to assist those in need during the terrible storm and are still helping. God bless you,” he said. He also passed on his deepest condolences to the Vorster family following Nathan’s tragic death.
A gallery of photos showing the destruction (photos by Terry Worley and Leandi du Plessis)
