Never hold up a pitchfork during a thunderstorm...

[Weather-history]

Two reports from 1907 of people being killed by lightning with a pitchfork acting as a lightning conductor....

24th May:- (Holbeach Marsh)

"Thomas Cumberworth, a labourer, was killed whilst working in a field during a thunderstorm. The evidence showed that the man met a remarkable death. At the time, he was carrying a manure fork with steel prongs, and this, which he had on his shoulder, appeared to have acted as a conductor to the lightning, which entered the body at the neck and passed down the feet. His clothes were torn off round the shoulders and body, and he was left nearly nude. The garments were scattered about a distance of 16 or 17 yards. His boot were rent to pieces and both feet were injured, whilst a hole was made in the ground on which he was standing. A watch he was wearing was fused by the lightning, and the case was bent up in a very remarkable manner. Death was instantaneous. The companion who was with him, named Charles Pattison, appears also to have been struck by the same flash and stunned, but he recovered."

29th June:-

"About 4.15pm, a man was killed by lightning at Rickmansworth while holding up a fork full of hay to protect himself from rain."

[Rustynailer]

I have a pitchfork, I use the pitchfork to throw brash from trees on to the fire. Less so these days as we chip most brash or just run over it whilst extracting the timber.

It has been noted on several occasions, when cutting urban woodlands "Chavs" find the mear sight of pitchforks threatening, so they stay well away usually.

I am now writing your find on my 2008 woodland works risk assessment

Cheers Mr Data

Russ

[BARRY]

Is that why they call it fork lighting

[Gray-Wolf]

Is that why they call it fork lighting

Shocking

[0000]

sparked out :lol:

[sunny scunny]

Is that why they call it fork lighting :lol:

i guess so

[0000]

i guess so :lol:

same applies to fondant facies mind shaun