James Mueller, age 76, and Donna Meuller, age 75, both passed away. After being hurt in the accident at Lafayette Park, according to the police.
Let’s see how James Mueller & Donna Mueller died and their cause of death in detail
What happened?
Police told ABC News on Friday that two Wisconsin people perished as a result of a lightning strike near the White House on Thursday night.
James Mueller, age 76, and Donna Meuller, age 75, both from Janesville, Wisconsin, perished after being hurt in the strike in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, according to the police.
Four victims were discovered in “the vicinity of a tree,” according to a statement from D.C. Fire and EMS on Thursday evening.
The two males and two women were stated to have “life-threatening injuries” and were taken to local hospitals.
It is still unknown, according to officials, what the adults were doing before the lightning hit, whether they knew one another, and why they were in the park.
According to an EMS official during a news conference, uniformed U.S. Park Police officers and Secret Service agents arrived at the scene and started providing help to the wounded right away.
On Thursday night, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the region.
James Mueller & Donna Mueller died
On Thursday night, two persons who were gravely hurt after being struck by lightning outside the White House passed away, and two more have significant injuries that require hospitalization.
A couple from Janesville, Wisconsin, James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, passed away from wounds they got when lightning struck Lafayette Park in Northwest DC on Thursday night.
They were nearby the White House compound as violent thunderstorms rattled the area, along with two other people.
The altercation left a man and a woman in critical condition, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Their names have not been made public.
Just before 7 p.m., emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. And transported all four victims to the hospital with “severe, life-threatening injuries.”
Lightning strike near White house incident: Explained
In Lafayette Park, less than 500 feet (150 meters) from President Joe Biden’s official house in Washington, DC, James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, both from Janesville, Wisconsin, were struck.
Two further victims of the attack are still in the hospital in critical condition.
Due to the park’s proximity to the White House, Secret Service agents were sent there to provide emergency aid.
Yards away from the fence enclosing the presidential mansion and offices, lightning struck close to a tree.
“Our sympathies are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still struggling for their lives,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Around 6.52 p.m. local time on Thursday, the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department was summoned to the area.
Due to the “severe storm conditions,” spokesman Vito Maggiolo was forced to make a statement from inside his car.
Mr. Maggiolo complimented the Secret Service and the United States Park Police for reacting quickly to the four people’s needs and providing assistance.
A seven-acre public park to the north of the White House, Lafayette Park is very busy in the summer with tourists.
Following the occurrence, a flash flood warning was issued for the District of Columbia.
The violent storm swept through Washington as temperatures. That soared above 32.2C (90F) – but high humidity levels meant the heat was likened to 37.8C (100F).
How were the victims hurt?
Other than the fact that the persons were gravely affected. When the lightning struck, the authorities have not disclosed information about how the victims were hurt.
Public information officer Vito Maggiolo for DC Fire and EMS was unable to provide specifics regarding their injuries.
According to NBC Washington, he stated, “All we know for sure is that there was a lightning strike in their neighborhood, in their near vicinity, and all four were hurt.”
Officials reported that all four were discovered close to a tree and a statue of the late President Andrew Jackson.
It’s unknown if they knew one another or what they were doing just before the lightning struck the region.
Following the incident, DC Fire and EMS issued a warning to locals and tourists, advising them to exercise caution Friday due to the likelihood of thunderstorms.
There is a high probability of more severe thunderstorms today. In light of the tragedy in Lafayette Park, #DCsBravest want you to be weather aware, and follow these lightning safety tips. pic.twitter.com/fTZf1F6tS5
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) August 5, 2022
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed her sadness at the tragic loss of life following the lightning strike in Lafayette Park.
We are praying for those who are still battling for their lives. And our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones.
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Lavanya (Senior Editor) is a full-time content writer with almost 5 years of experience and a part-time teacher. She joined Medico Topics on the Breaking News trainee scheme in 2022 and now works on MedicoTopics.com. As a lifelong learner, She is constantly curious about learning new things and passionate about sharing knowledge with people through her writing and teaching.