Now filled with fear and dread, Phaeton lost self-control, and looked repentant to the goal which he could never reach.

The unrestrained steeds dashed hither and thither among the stars, and reaching the Earth, set fire to trees, cities, harvests, mountains.

The air became hot and lurid.

The rivers, springs, and snowbanks were dried up.

The Earth then cried out in her agony to Jupiter for relief, and he launched a thunderbolt at the now cowed and broken-hearted driver, which not only struck him from the seat he had dishonored, but also out of existence.
The old mythologists were no fools.