Lightning kills horse rider

New Zealand, Dargaville (tvnz.co.nz) -- The severe rain storm that has wreaked havoc as it swept across the top of the North Island has turned deadly.

Lightning generated by thunderstorms struck a man on a farm near Dargaville, killing him instantly on Tuesday afternoon.

Even police were rocked by the ferocity of the forked lightning that struck such a cruel blow on the outskirts of Dargaville.

A 50-year-old man and the horse he was riding were killed. Dargaville police say seven people were in the party that was struck by lightning and five of them are in Whangarei Hospital. It is understood they were taken to hospital as a precaution and are not seriously injured. full story