NSW: Sydney tea party smashed by storm

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2007
NSW: Sydney tea party smashed by storm

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - Thirty people were treated for injuries caused by the latest in
a string of thunderstorms to lash Sydney this summer.

Hailstones up to seven centimetres in diameter and damaging winds tore through an outdoor
tea party at Kemps Creek on Sydney's western outskirts injuring 30 women, who were treated
by ambulance officers, at about 4.30pm (AEDT) today, the Seven Network has reported.

"It looked like the end of the world. I've never seen anything like it," one woman told Seven.

Another woman told Seven that the winds lifted slabs of concrete.

Residents in Sydney's west and north made more than 100 calls to the State Emergency
Service for help with flash flooding and fallen trees.

Electricity was cut to about 10,000 homes.

Flights at Sydney airport were disrupted by the storm and further delays were expected.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said: "We've had lots of reports of hail of golf-ball
size and we've had a few reports of hail up to seven centimetres in a couple of places."

Sydney has been lashed by a fierce afternoon thunderstorm almost every day during this
summer's hot and humid weather.

Meanwhile, police today released the name and an image of a man killed by a shop awning
collapse during a storm at Balgowlah on Sydney's northern beaches on Friday afternoon.

Craig Taylor, 53, was crushed by the awning and bricks that fell from the shop's facade.

He died at the scene.

Mr Taylor's family thanked the community for its support following the accident.

"Craig was deeply loved by everyone who knew him, especially by his wife and children.

He was tirelessly devoted to his family," the family said in a statement.

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KEYWORD: STORMS NSW NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILIABLE)

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