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Winter Garden Couple Recovering After Lightning Strike as Police Release Bodycam

On-scene CPR by Good Samaritans and emergency crews brought the couple to hospital care with plans to remove a breathing tube.

Overview

  • Aaron and Clare Walenga were struck by lightning while on the West Orange Trail and were found face down after witnesses reported their umbrella had been hit.
  • Police released body camera footage that shows an officer running to the scene and a 911 caller telling responders the pair had been struck by lightning.
  • Good Samaritans performed CPR on Clare before first responders arrived and both victims were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center for critical care.
  • The Walengas issued a public statement saying they are healing and on track for a full recovery and expressing deep gratitude to the rescuers and medical teams.
  • The case has renewed local safety concerns about Florida lightning, which experts warn can strike when thunder is audible, and follows a separate lightning death in the region earlier this week.