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Pub boss: 'I survived lightning strike'
A PUB boss says he was struck by lightning while making a frantic dash between his bars which were flooded out during heavy storms.
Tony Shawcross had to tackle a flood at The Riverside pub on the Mill Dam in South Shields during torrential downpours on Wednesday.
And things went from bad to worse when he received a call to say his other pub, The Alum House – just 300 yards away – also had a flood.
Leaving staff to clean up, the 34-year-old grabbed an umbrella to make the short way across to the Alum.
But he told how halfway there, his brolly was struck by lightning. The flash travelled along the stem of the umbrella and struck his hand.
Mr Shawcross, who only recently took over as licensee at The Riverside with his partner Tess Gosling, said; "All I was thinking was 'I'd better sort out the situation at the Alum'.
"I was thinking this just wasn't my day – and then I was struck by lightning!
"When the lightning hit my brolly, it travelled along the stem and caused my arm to jerk. A bus driver came over to ask if I was OK, but I just made my way to the Alum."
Fortunately, Mr Shawcross was not seriously injured, and the only memento of the impact is a slight burn mark.
He said: "They say things happen in threes and that seems to have been the case with me. I just hope that's the end of my bad luck."
Meanwhile, South Tyneside Council has offered support to residents and businesses still trying to recover from Wednesday's storms.
Coun Michael Clare, lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration, said: "It was a terrible storm and lots of homes and businesses were affected.
"If any business has suffered and would like help, they can get in touch with the council and we will support them in any way we can."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
