Man dies after being struck by lightning as storm rips through state
HEAVY rain and a spectacular lightning display delayed the official opening of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games at the Sydney Opera House. Storms wreaked havoc around the state. A man, 53, died after being struck by lightning at a racecourse earlier today.
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HEAVY rain and a spectacular lightning display delayed the official opening of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games at the Sydney Opera House tonight, while in another part of the state, a man died after being struck by lightning.
The heavens opened over the city landmark about two hours before Harry was due to kick off the ceremony at 7.30pm but had to be postponed until 8.40pm.
The forecourt was earlier evacuated, forcing more than 1000 family members and friends of Invictus Games athletes to find shelter.
Organisers said they needed to do some technical checks because of the rain and were delaying proceedings by about an hour.
“Following the severe thunderstorm the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony has been delayed due (sic) to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Assessments are continuing on-site, with further updates to come,” Invictus organisers tweeted.
The rain had cleared by 8pm but the deluge had damaged electrical equipment on the stage, which needed running repairs before the event could be beamed live around the world.
Despite the lengthy rain delay, the forecourt was packed out by an estimated 500 wounded warriors in Sydney to compete and 1000 family and friends.
According to Navy Lieutenant Commander Desmond Woods, who was waiting to cheer on Australia’s wounded warriors, the rain won’t dampen the crowd’s spirits, even if there’s lengthy delays.
“Rain won’t dampen our spirits in the slightest,” Lieutenant Commander Woods said.
“We’re entirely happy to wait out the storm, even if we wait an hour or so.
“It’s more important we get rain for the farmers in NSW dealing with drought, which is a matter of life and death — this is just entertainment.”
The 497 competitors, including 72 Aussie athletes, were stranded on four ferries in Farm Cove.
The ferries couldn’t dock until the lightning cleared at 6.40pm, when the athletes were finally given the all clear and alighted to the cheers from fans.
MAN DIES IN LIGHTNING STRIKE
Thunderstorms have been sweeping across other parts of the state.
Earlier today, a man died after being struck by lightning at a racecourse in the state’s central west.
The 53-year-old man was at Geurie Racecourse, about 30km southeast of Dubbo, when he was struck just after 2pm today.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said the man was walking in the middle of the racecourse when the fatal lighting strike occurred.
“Two people at the scene started CPR on the man before paramedics arrived,” the spokesman said.
“When we arrived we assessed the patient, but unfortunately there was nothing we could do.”
The incident came after the Bureau of Meteorology issued storm warnings activity across central and southern NSW on Saturday
Sydney has also warned to brace for damaging thunderstorms.
The thunderstorms are forecast to move to the state’s northeast on Sunday while other parts of NSW may experience heavy rainfall.
“Due to the speed, volatility and potential impacts of thunderstorms it is recommended people pay particular attention to warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and other emergency agencies,” BOM NSW/ACT weather services manager Jake Phillips said in a statement.
A NSW Police spokesman said detectives from the Orana Mid-West Police District would prepare a report for the Coroner.
Fatal lightning strikes are rare, with an average of two to three deaths in Australia each year, according studies by the International Society for the Prevention of Natural Hazards
The last fatality in Australia was at Kings Canyon in Northern Territory in January this year.