Newcastle air traffic controller escapes lightning strike

Jul 8 2009 by David Old, The Journal

AN air traffic controller had a lucky escape after being struck by lightning.

Vikki Cole was working at the top of the 130ft control tower at Newcastle International Airport when it was struck by a lightning bolt on Monday afternoon.

She had been updating the radar room on the stormy weather to help direct planes in to land when the tower was suddenly hit.

The 26-year-old, from Whickham, Gateshead, said: “There were quite a few storms around and there was a lot of electrical activity. We were watching lightning bolts earth around the airport. Six bolts must have struck the ground within about 90 seconds.

“We were looking out to see which end of the runway to direct a plane in to land. I was using a touch screen phone to advise the radar room when a bolt hit the tower. My finger was in contact with the screen when it hit, I heard a crackle and I felt a shock in my finger.

“I turned around to look at my colleagues as if to say ‘did that really happen’. They said they saw something shoot across the desk. The strike had popped a couple of machines and the clock, and the emergency alarm was going off.

“I was a bit shocked, it’s not something you expect to happen. It was a totally surreal experience.”

But despite being struck by lightning, Vikki was back at work within a couple of hours. She added: “I took a couple of hours to compose myself and I had a bit of a headache, but I went back to work a couple of hours later.

“It hasn’t put me off working up in the tower, you get such great views of the region. It was one of those weird phenomena, the chances of it happening must be millions to one.

“I’ll be going out to buy a lottery ticket now.”