Florida Couple Recounts 'Miraculous' Survival After Lightning Strike

A Florida couple described their survival as a miracle after being struck by lightning during an evening walk in Winter Haven on Sept. 2. Aaron and Clare Walenga were walking hand-in-hand on the West Orange Trail after dropping their children off at a church youth group when a storm rapidly approached, and a lightning bolt struck them without warning.

Aaron Walenga, 48, recalled the immediate aftermath, saying he was disoriented and in severe pain, initially believing they had been hit by a car. "I couldn't move the way I wanted to," he said. "I'm trying to get up. I am trying to get to Clare … I'm trying to talk, and I'm not really able to."

He then noticed bystanders and first responders attending to his unconscious wife. Four good Samaritans had already rushed to the scene, called 911, and begun CPR on Clare. Witnesses reported that Clare had turned blue and stopped breathing for three to four minutes before emergency responders arrived about 10 minutes later.

"I like to talk about the amount of bravery that they showed," Aaron said of the bystanders. "They could see the fence beside them that lit up. It was a big moment to turn around and then go, 'Hey, I think we need to go that direction.' And they did."

Following the incident, Aaron was found to have suffered fractured eye sockets, a broken nose, damaged teeth, facial cuts, and burns on his hands and wrists, where he had been holding an umbrella and wearing an Apple Watch. Despite the severity of their injuries, which included brain bleeds and heart damage, the couple reported a rapid and complete recovery within two days.

"We both had brain bleeds, and then I also suffered heart damage. And then when they followed up again two days later, it was healed," Clare said. "Neither of us had any brain bleed damage and my heart situation completely healed."

Clare, who experienced intermittent memory loss, regained her full memory approximately two days after the strike. The couple expressed profound gratitude for their survival and the support they have received from their church, neighborhood, and school communities.

"It's very humbling to know that people out there really care for you, and to see the church the way it's supposed to be, where it's not just in a building. It's really the people that are around you, and it's been amazing to watch," Aaron said.

Their pastor assisted in ensuring their children were safely brought home on the night of the lightning strike, and neighbors have helped with yard work and pool maintenance. The Walengas stated they never felt hopeless, attributing their resilience to their faith and a belief that there is a purpose behind the event.