Utility crew injured in lightning strike Thursday evening

Round Hill, SC (Paul Kirby) – Two employees of Windstream were injured after lightning struck close by an area where they were working on a cable line Thursday evening. This accident happened as scattered thunderstorms rolled through around 6:30 p.m. The incident occurred on Long Branch Road off Calks Ferry Road between Boiling Springs and Round Hill. Units from Lexington County’s EMS and the fire service responded.

One of the workers received a strong jolt that injured and dazed that employee while the other worker, who was apparently not in direct contact with the cable, was just shaken by the strike. Lexington County EMS transported to a local medical facility for what was believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Strong storms packing heavy rain and sharp lightning had popped up across much of the central portion of the county most of Thursday afternoon and into the evening. In one case near Pelion and Sharpe’s Hill, a fire engine that responded to a call had to be guided out by another member of the fire service after the road washed while they were on it in the torrential rains. The truck responded to an emergency, and the rain’s affect made the driver concerned they might not get their equipment safely out. The man on the ground was able to lead the truck’s operator around the worst of the gullies to get it safely off Clayhill Road and back in service.

More strong storms are expected Friday afternoon.