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A labourer at Amanfrom Timber Market near Kasoa in the Central Region is alleged to have been struck dead by lightning during yesterday’s downpour. The man, identified as Abdul Samel, 23, according to eyewitnesses, was struck while he was busily working in the rains at the market. An eyewitness account indicated that the rain started at about 10:15 am yesterday and while the traders who were selling their wares in the open were moving to seek shelter in other adjoining buildings, Samel ignored it and was working in the rain. “Suddenly, there was a lightning which was followed by a thunderstorm,” the eyewitness narrated. The eyewitness said that the traders saw Samel lying on the ground in a supine position helpless and rushed to his rescue. He revealed that when they got to where Samel was lying, they discovered he was dead and had to immediately inform the police. Meanwhile, when the paper contacted DSP Amaniampong Anokye, the Crime Officer in-charge of the Amanfrom District Police Station, he said the police received the report from some of the traders in the market that morning. He narrated that Abdul Samel was first rushed to the Amanfrom Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors. “The body has been deposited at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for preservation,” he added. Further reports received also indicated that several houses had their roofs removed as a result of the downpour. Personnel of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) are in the area to offer assistance to the affected persons.