A 13-year-old boy, one of twins, tragically died when he was struck by lightning on a farm outside Glencoe near Dundee last night.

The tragedy occurred when a vicious storm struck the area, cutting a swathe of destruction through the town.

Nathan Voster’s passing was confirmed this morning by various Glencoe Security group members who worked tirelessly to assist those whose homes and properties were damaged.

Voster was a Grade 6 pupil at Dundee Junior School who loved sports.

Storm ravages Glencoe

Hail, wind and over 100mm of rain hammered residents as trees were felled, roofs blown off and many homes flooded – including damage to the Glencoe Old Age Home.

Reports are also being received of the Tayside pumping station being underwater which could compromise water supply in the Endumeni municipal area. The Vryheid/Dundee road is also flooded near Cotswold farm.

A large tree continued to block the main road, Karel Landman Street, this morning with trees also down in many other areas.

Concrete walls collapsed in nature’s onslaught with the Blue Barrel Health Centre, previously the Junction, suffering lots of damage when the former Glencoe municipal swimming pool overflowed, and the water washed away a section of the wall.

Dave and Elmarie van der Westhuizen are still cleaning up their flooded home on the complex.

Showing great community spirit, volunteers armed with chainsaws and other equipment stepped up to assist residents whose properties were damaged by fallen trees.

Hosking Street resident Alex Kirstein described how he had to knock holes in a precast wall to allow flood water damming up to flow into the street.

“The water rushed through our entire house – only the bedroom was saved. Trees came down, the wall collapsed and a roofing section from a neighbour’s outbuilding came flying into our yard,” he said.

Hail also broke his rain meter which overflowed at 100mm.

There was also extensive damage in Sithembile where many residents, including the Dundee Courier’s Fathima Zubane, reported damage to homes. Glenridge also suffered amid the storm’s fury.

Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni municipality’s disaster manager and his team, worked tirelessly from last night and are still on the ground assisting stranded residents.

“Even the ‘Welcome to Glencoe’ sign at the entrance to the town was destroyed. This was one of the worst storms I have seen,” he said.

Ward Councillor, Saleem Abdool, said both disaster teams and electricians were out in force in Glencoe.

“Power was knocked out in some areas. I ask residents to be patient while we attend to the faults. Thanks to all who came forward to assist those in need during the terrible storm and are still helping. God bless you,” he said.

He also passed on his deepest condolences to the Voster family following Nathan’s tragic death.