Radio Cayman suffers collateral damage from lightning strike

A freak storm that hit the Cayman Islands on Wednesday also caused some collateral damage at Radio Cayman in George Town.

Radio Cayman’s satellite receiver and newsroom production board were damaged when a bolt of lightning struck at or near the facility sometime between 3.30–4pm local time. No one was hurt.

“The equipment started to sizzle, and there was a burning smell,” said Director of Broadcasting Norma McField. “We assume it was because of the lightning.”

The damage did not affect the station’s on–air product. Ms McField said the newsroom production console was replaced with a back up unit and a new satellite receiver was ordered and was expected to arrive on Thursday. The station uses the satellite to pick up news feeds and other broadcasts from the BBC, including a news segment, which airs nightly during the station’s 6pm broadcast.

Ms McField said newsroom employees were able to pick up the news broadcast for last night’s newscast off the Internet. “This isn’t the first time the BBC receiver has been struck,” she said.

The on–air signal was never affected because Radio Cayman actually transmits from a tower at Northward. The radio tower next to the station’s George Town office is not used by the station except in emergencies.

Source: Media Network, Caycompass.com