LOCAL emergency services were surprised at the absence of call-outs following yesterday’s lightning show.
Neither the SES or CFA received any calls in relation to the electrical storm, which rolled into Swan Hill early yesterday morning.
CFA captain Dennis Turner said it was lucky that there were no call-outs considering the significant amount of lightning events in the area.
Horse trainer Austy Coffey was working at his stables on the racecourse when a nearby gum tree was struck by lightning.
Mr Coffey said it appeared to strike the tree, then bounce off the roof of the stables, causing the whole compound to light up.
“It was unbelievable — loudest thing I’ve ever heard,” Mr Coffey said.
“I didn’t know whether I was dead or alive.”
The tree was cut down yesterday afternoon due to the extensive damage sustained by the lighnting strike.
