Terror at the festival where storm left five people dead

Monday 22nd August 2011, 2:56PM BST.

Safe after their ordeal, Ruben (in the red cap) and Hannah Le Sueur (right) leave the festival

TWO Jersey teenagers have spoken of their frightening experience as a violent thunderstorm wreaked havoc at a music festival in Belgium, leaving five people dead.

On Thursday, Hannah and Ruben Le Sueur were with their father Alec and a friend at the first day of the annual Pukkelpop festival near Hassalt, east of Brussels, where 60,000 people were enjoying the acts on stage and in large tents.

The day had been hot and sultry and at around 6 pm a freak thunderstorm erupted, bringing with it strong wind, rain and lightning strikes.

Mr Le Sueur told the JEP that hailstones the size of almonds started to hurtle down in sheets and a big rush began to find shelter in the main tents, where thousands of people were listening to music.

• See Monday’s JEP for the full report

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