A NORTH-EAST hospital had a power failure after it was struck by lightning.
The incident happened just after 1.30pm on Saturday when the University Hospital of Hartlepool was struck in what was described by onlookers as a "freak piece of lightning."
The mast on the roof of the hospital was hit, bringing power to a halt, affecting vital patient support systems and disrupting the hospital's internal communications systems.
Carole Pearson, deputy director of North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals Trust, said the hospital's emergency generator clicked on automatically.
She said: "We are now back on within our normal limits and none of our patients were placed in any danger."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article