MID North Coast Charolais stud breeders Shannon and Jason Scott lost two handy bulls to a freak lightning strike last night but they were counting their blessings yesterday, given how soon it struck after their children had left the vicinity.
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The family had only just come inside when the electrical storm which swept across the North Coast from around 5pm delivered the nasty lightning strike just 60 metres from their verandah.
The couple have 100 registered head in their Sowintoo Charolais Stud at Thora and all the bulls had taken shelter under a large fig tree.
“We heard very loud popping sounds. It felt like it had struck right on top of us, it was so intense,” Mrs Scott said.
“Then the bulls were bellowing fiercely and we discovered two were dead.
"Their hair was singed, their hooves and horns burnt and there were clear entry and exit points.”
The 20-month-old and two-and-a-half-year-old bulls were home-bred and two of the more valuable in the stud.
“But the family is safe and that is what counts,” Mrs Scott said.
There was no other damage in the short storm and very little rain was delivered.
“It was a dry, violent affair,” Mr Scott said.
Shan Goodwin
Journalist for The Land on the North Coast.
Journalist for The Land on the North Coast.
