СТОЛБНЯК НАПАЛ (НАШЁЛ) на кого collVPsubj. ) s.o. cannot move ( usu. out of fear, horror): на X-a столбняк напал - X froze (on the spot)
X became rooted to the spot
X stood stock-still
X was paralyzed with fear.
Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА.
С.И. Лубенская.
2004.