KEY POINTS:
A tornado ripped off the roof of a Central Otago pub and dumped it on nearby power lines, vehicles and farm paddocks yesterday.
Shocked patrons fled the Bannockburn Hotel when the mini tornado came charging towards the pub at 2.45pm, the Southland Times reported.
Publican David Gillespie said he saw iron and timber flying off the pub's roof and smashing into nearby power lines, causing a loud explosion.
Roofing iron also landed on two vehicles parked nearby and scattered in nearby paddocks, he said.
"We had about 25 customers and no one was hurt."
Most fled out the back entrance to avoid the power lines and a second tornado followed the mini tornado but caused little damage, pub staff said.
Fire crews, police and Delta Utilities staff were at the scene and Bannockburn Rd was closed to traffic while the power lines were repaired.
Bannockburn is 8km south of Cromwell.
- NZPA
