Lightning Strikes Near White House, Kills Two, Injures Two
Two people were killed, and two others in critical condition on Friday after a lightning struck near the White House the night before, police in the US capital disclosed.
The lightning hit Lafayette Square, a small park just across the street from the White House, shortly before 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Thursday, leaving two men and two women with “critical life-threatening injuries,” according to a statement issued from Washington’s fire and emergencies department.
All the victims were taken to local hospitals, but on Friday morning, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that two of them – 75-year-old Donna Mueller and 76-year-old James Mueller, both from Janesville in Wisconsin – had been pronounced dead.
The other two adults however remain in critical condition.
A White House spokeswoman said the Biden administration was “saddened by the tragic loss of life.”
“We are praying for those still fighting for their lives,” she said.
US Secret Service and park police rushed to help the four after witnessing the strike, fire and emergency services department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said in a statement posted on social media.
Pictures posted online by the department on social media revealed multiple ambulances and at least one fire truck with flashing lights at the scene.