In a catastrophic, deadly stroke of natural disaster, two individuals are now dead with an additional two critically injured after being struck by a massive, freak strike of lightning right across the street from the White House yesterday evening, according to new reporting from CNN.
According to the report, 76-year-old James Mueller and 75-year-old Donna Mueller were on vacation in Washington, D.C., coming all the way from Wisconsin, and were paying a visit to Lafayette Park, directly across from Pennsylvania Ave. where the White House stands, when they were struck by a massive strike of lightning. CNN reports the pair was “riding out the storm under a tree, according to a law enforcement source.”
Fox 5 DC heartbreakingly reports that the couple died from the injuries they sustained in the freak stroke of natural disaster. According to the report, an additional couple remains hospitalized over injuries from the lightning strike, in critical condition, though their identities have not been released.
Members of both the US Secret Service as well as the Park Police personally witnessed the lightning strike, according to reports, and immediately ran to offer their assistance to the victims in any way they could. The officials found all four victims of the natural disaster lying unconscious beneath the tree they tried to take cover under. Officials proceeded to administer first aid and CPS to the victims, as well as called the accident into D.C. Fire and EMS.
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The spokesperson for D.C. Fire and EMS, Vito Maggiolo, said, “What I want to do is thank them because their agents, their officers witnessed this lightning strike and immediately began to render aid to the four victims which is very critical in helping with survivability.”
D.C. Fire and EMS took to their Twitter page and confirmed that four individuals were taken to the hospital, all of which had “critical life-threatening injuries,” as a result of the Lafayette Park lightning strike.
Apparent lightning strike Lafayette Park NW. #DCsBravest on scene in the process of treating and transporting 4 patients, all in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/1jyCh44Q2n
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) August 4, 2022
Numerous D.C. reporters were filming last night, as severe thunderstorms raged throughout Washington, many of which captured up close footage of the severe thunder and lightning, though it’s unknown if any of them captured the specific lighting strike that struck the four victims.
Our camera was rolling on the White House North Lawn tonight when lightning struck Lafayette Park nearby, injuring four. The thunder was so loud, @gabrielle_ake and I jumped up in fright. “That’s too close — we’re shutting down” advised photographer Ron Windham. pic.twitter.com/oTtU9VeQBw
— Nancy Cordes (@nancycordes) August 5, 2022
Lightning strikes RIGHT in front of the White House pic.twitter.com/Kg6YJWnCNu
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) August 5, 2022
Biden White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement on Twitter in response to the tragedy that was so close to home for the president, writing, “We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.”
We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) August 5, 2022
Featured image via screen capture
