Two people who were critically injured in a lightning strike outside the White House have died, police confirmed to CBS News on Friday. Two others remain in hospital with life-threatening conditions.
James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, of Janesville, Wis., died of their injuries after being struck by lightning in Lafayette Park, located adjacent to the White House complex, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
The other two people, a man and a woman, are in critical condition, the police department said. Their identities were not immediately released.
The lightning strike was reported at 6:52 p.m. The victims were near a statue of Andrew Jackson, Maggiolo said, adding that “it appears they were near a tree.”
Uniformed Secret Service agents and U.S. Park Police officers who were in the area and witnessed the impact administered first aid to the victims, Maggiolo said.
“Their agents, their officers, witnessed this lightning strike and immediately began rendering aid,” Maggiolo said.
It is unclear exactly what the victims were doing at the time.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life following the lightning strike in Lafayette Park,” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and we pray for those who are still fighting for their lives.”
A CBS News camera recording on the North Lawn of the White House around the time of the lightning strike captured the powerful rumble of thunder.
“The thunder was so loud that @gabrielle_ake and I jumped in fear,” CBS News White House correspondent Nancy Cordes tweeted. “This is too close – we’re stopping,” advised photographer Ron Windham.
Our camera was rolling on the North Lawn of the White House tonight when lightning struck nearby Lafayette Park, injuring four. The thunder was so loud that @gabrielle_ake and I jumped in fear. “This is too close – we’re closing,” advised photographer Ron Windham. pic.twitter.com/oTtU9VeQBw
— Nancy Cordes (@nancycordes) August 5, 2022
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