Lightning kills horse rider as weather pounds north

www.nzherald.co.nz
A 61-year-old man and his horse were killed instantly yesterday when they were struck by lightning during an annual hare hunt near Dargaville.

Witnesses say the Auckland man was struck on the top of his head, sending an electrical charge through his helmet, down his body and into the horse.
Dargaville Sergeant Jonathan Tier said four other riders were also hit by lightning, but had minor injuries.
The riders were among 85 people who had gathered for the annual Northland Hunt. They were about half an hour into the event when lightning hit the region at midday.
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