Lightning kills nine cows during heavy storm

‘They were all lying dead in the field, some with their legs in the air,’ says witness

(REUTERS)

Nine cows were killed by a lightning strike during heavy thunderstorms in Ireland.

Witnesses reported seeing the animals lying in a field in Dunlicky, County Clare, on with their “legs in the air.”

“There was a lot of thunderstorm activity in the area at the time and the sky blackened all of a sudden,” a passing motorist told the Irish Examiner.

“The rain was pouring down really heavy for about 20 minutes.

“Just after we passed Dunlicky Castle we saw the cows in the field. There were a few cars and men in there as well.

“I think it was nine milking cows we counted. They are all lying dead in the field.”

Electricity firm ESB Networks said faults were reported in Cork county, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford following the lightning strikes on Saturday night.

“Due to significant lightning we have a number of faults, mainly in the south of the country,” the company tweeted. Up to 9,000 households were left without power.

Four years ago a lightning strike killed 19 cows sheltering under a tree during a storm in Hallsville, Texas.

“It’s just a freak thing,” said owner Ashley Anderson. “I mean they were just staying out of the rain.”