A WARRNAMBOOL lifeguard’s vigilance averted potential disaster when a thunderstorm hit AquaZone’s outdoor pool.
Tom Wilson was working an early shift on Friday when he observed lightning strikes moving closer to the Queens Road facility by counting the time between the flash and thunder clap. After warning about 20 swimmers that the storm could force them to head indoors, the lightning came close enough for an evacuation.
“There’s a protocol there – if you hear it within 30 seconds of seeing the flash, that’s something you need to stick to,” the 22-year-old said.
“After the first 15 minutes we heard a big clap about 40 seconds away so we continued on, but a couple of minutes later there was a bigger one within 14 seconds.
“That was when I made the call to get everyone out of the water.”
Mr Wilson said there was some commotion as the patrons, most of them Warrnambool Swimming Club members, hastily evacuated the pool.
“Once they were inside I was cleaning up a bit outside and as I opened the door to come in, a huge crack of lightning went pretty much directly on top of the pool,” he said.
“It was crazy. It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. Even people with their heads submerged could hear it.
“It scared the absolute bejesus out of me.”
The strike caused a huge surge through the building and knocked out internet connections, phone lines and the systems controlling pool temperatures.
Mr Wilson said a few swimmers had thanked him afterwards for making the right call and sticking by the book.
“I was making sure I was 110 per cent on the job at the time. I made sure I was standing in a position to watch the lightning at all times.”
AquaZone services manager Ray Smith praised Mr Wilson’s diligence and forward thinking.
“He was switched on and had people warned what may happen and got everyone inside quickly,” he said.
