July 1964 thunderstorms: John White tragedy

[Weather-history]

There were some severe thunderstorms around 18th-21st July 1964.  On the 21st, John White, the Tottenham and Scottish footballer was killed by lightning as he sheltered under a tree on an Enfield golf course 

 

 

 

       

 

18th July:  a lightning bolt hit the railway bridge of my home town

         

[A Face like Thunder]

Yes, I remember the John White tragedy well. I was in Surrey at the time and I remember it was very thundery there that Friday evening. Probably not a good idea to be sheltering under a tree with lightning around, but a tragic end to a great career. RIP. 

[Summer8906]

As an aside I can't help but noticing that the Europe-wide temperatures on those weather reports have a very "2020s" look to them, with many places, even relatively nearby ones such as Luxembourg, almost excessively hot for their location, with the UK and Scandinavia resolutely cool.

Edited July 12, 2024 by Summer8906

[LetItSnow]

Trevor Harley writes: "55.9mm of rain fell in 15 minutes at Bolton on the 18th. This is the second highest rainfall rate in the twentieth century after June 1970." 60 years ago today.

[LetItSnow]

 Summer8906 Notice how heat anomalies then were always compensated by cool elsewhere. I imagine it rather unusual to have Greece and the UK cool at the same time (relatively).

[cheeky_monkey]

 Weather-history This reminds me of  match i played in 1990..towrds the end of the season either late April or early May ..was an evening game and during the second half a storm rolled in and lighting struck the frame of our opponents goal..needless to say both teams made a quick exit and the game was abandoned 

[A Face like Thunder]

 cheeky_monkey In February 1967, a football player was struck by lightning whilst playing in an FA Amateur Cup tie for Highgate United and died the next day. I remember it well. 

[Weather-history]

 A Face like Thunder

 

  

[A Face like Thunder]

Thank you. Graphic photos would definitely not be allowed in UK newspapers now, thank goodness.  

[Methuselah]

Weren't something like six players struck in September 1968, playing for Macclesfield Town? 

[LetItSnow]

 Methuselah 1960s football players didn't have the greatest luck...

[Weather-history]

 

[A Face like Thunder]

60 years ago today, very sad, RIP John.

[IslaArklayblend]

Strangely, I had travelled down to London Kings X a few days after that - I was 19 and had been posted from Leuchars to Stanmore.  I was met by my mother's uncle as London was new to me.  I went to his home in Enfield and we were all talking about this tragedy.  I had a keen interest in football......and lightning, of course.  Our best player Alan Gilzean had just been posted to Tottingham, too, sad to say!