Lightning – Michmutters

Tag: Lightning

Categories
US

How Dr. Martens boots may have saved White House lightning strike survivor

How Dr. Martens boots may have saved White House lightning strike survivor

The lone survivor of the lightning strike that killed three people outside the White House was saved by quick-thinking Secret Service agents — and her Dr. Martens boots, according to her mom.

Californian student Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was struck last Thursday while raising money in Washington, DC, for refugees — even though it was her 28th birthday.

While three others were killed in the strike — including a fellow young Californian — Escudero-Kontostathis was revived by agents who raced to the scene with a defibrillator, her mom, Julie Escudero, told the Ventura County Star.

“The Secret Service men saved her,” Escudero said. “I’ve been trying to find out their names so I can personally thank them. They revived her.”

Lightning strike survivor Amber Escudero-Kontostathis.
Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was the lone survivor of four hit by lightning outside the White House last Thursday — her 28th birthday.
LinkedIn

In a series of emotional Facebook updates, Escudero detailed how doctors believe the lightning that struck her daughter “went through her toes and out her left arm.”

That likely meant her daughter was saved by the thick rubber “Airwair” soles on Dr. Martens’ boots absorbing some of the impact, her mom speculated.

Escudero-Kontostathis — who was with her husband, Achilles, in DC — has already left intensive care and taken her first steps unaided, said her mom, who flew from California to be by her daughter’s side.

“The trauma doctor came up [Friday] and said she’s an ‘absolute miracle,’” her mom told the local outlet.

Lightning hits at foot of White House, killing three and injuring "miracle" survivor Amber Escudero-Kontostathis.
Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was the lone survivor of four hit by lightning that was caught on camera striking at the foot of the White House last Thursday
REUTERS

In her Facebook posts, Escudero also detailed how her daughter “is literally blowing all the doctors away with the progress her body is making.”

Still, she is suffering “unbearable” pain from a large burn on her stomach that makes it feel like it’s “on fire” — and is suffering crushing “survivor’s guilt” after learning the three others hit all died, her mom said.

Escudero-Kontostathis had a Monday meeting scheduled with a trauma counselor.

And she has also “made the connection to the other 3 wonderful people who passed,” her mom said, referring to bank VP Brooks Lambertson, 29, as well as James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, childhood sweethearts from Wisconsin celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.

Donna Mueller, 75, and James Mueller, 76.
The three killed included James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, childhood sweethearts from Wisconsin celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary
Facebook/WISN 12 NEWS

“She wants to reach out to their families,” her mom said Monday. “She cares so much for others, it will be hard for her.”

Escudero-Kontostathis is also anxious about missing the start of her masters-degree course at John Hopkins at the end of this month.

Escudero said she was “beyond grateful and humbled” that friends had started a GoFundMe that as of Monday afternoon had raised more than $40,000 to help with medical costs.

“I literally fell to my knees when I saw the GoFundMe page. I truly have no words!” she said.

.

Categories
US

LA bank exec ID’ed as third killed by lightning strike near White House

LA bank exec ID'ed as third killed by lightning strike near White House

A young California bank executive has been identified as the third person killed in a freak caught-on-camera lightning strike near the White House last week.

Brooks Lambertson, a 29-year-old Los Angeles-based vice president at City National Bank, was identified by DC police as the third fatality from Thursday night’s strike that also left a fourth person in critical condition.

He was killed alongside James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, childhood sweethearts from Wisconsin who were in the capital celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.

All four had been in Lafayette Park — yards from the White House fence — when cameras caught a huge bolt striking a tree they were near.

City National Bank said Sunday that it was “devastated to learn of the sudden death of one of our colleagues.”

“Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and unwavering positivity,” the bank said.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his loving family, his many friends and our colleagues. His joyful spirit will live on in our hearts, ”the bank said.

Brooks Lambertson, a 29-year-old bank executive from Los Angeles, was identified as the third person killing in a lightning strike near the White House last week.
Brooks Lambertson, a 29-year-old bank executive from Los Angeles, was identified as the third person killing in a lightning strike near the White House last week.
Facebook/KCRA
The lightning strike at Lafayette Park killed three people and left one other injured.
The lightning strike at Lafayette Park killed three people and left one other injured.
REUTERS

The news sparked tributes for Lambertson, who previously worked as a marketing manager for the LA Clippers and was in DC for business when he was struck.

“He was a joy to work with and a wonderful colleague!” one shocked staffer said, while another wrote about how they “loved working with him.”

Brooks always lit up the room with his million-dollar smile,” that colleague wrote, while another praised his “generosity” and “kindness and unwavering” positive energy.

The fourth person, an unidentified woman, was listed in critical condition on Friday, the police department said. There was no immediate update early Sunday.

Lambertson was in DC on a business trip.
Lambertson was in DC on a business trip.
@dcfireems via AP
Wisconsin couple James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, were also killed in the lightning strike.
Wisconsin couple James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, were also killed in the lightning strike.
Facebook/WISN 12 NEWS

Secret Service officers had been among the first to respond to the tragedy and offer first aid, officials announced last week.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was “saddened by the tragic loss of life.”

“This is the people’s house. It should be a place all can see,” she said.

With Post wires

.

Categories
US

House catches fire as storm rolls through with lightning, downpours

House catches fire as storm rolls through with lightning, downpours

A MetroWest home was demolished late Friday night, just hours after lightning ignited a fire that quickly spread. The blaze started in the middle of an intense thunderstorm that pummeled the region with lightning and downpours.Video shows firefighters responding to the home on Sears Road before 4 pm At the time, a strong thunderstorm was moving through the area.Southborough fire chief Steven Achilles said it was a lightning strike that hit the chimney that started this fire. Three firefighters were transported to the hospital with injuries battling the blaze, Achilles said. Two firefighters had broken bones and one suffered a hand injury during a so-called flashover incident. “They had fire above them, and the heat kept on coming down and down, and it got fresh air, and basically the second floor engulfed in fire,” Achillies said “Crews had to bailout down the stairwell, Achillies said. “Some of they got injured when that happened.”Southborough police say several homes were struck in the area during the storm. “We know we had some trees down and some other lightning strikes, but no other structure fires,” Achillies said. Approximately 50 members from various departments helped battle the fire.StormTeam 5 Interactive Radar recorded several strikes in the area around Sears Road.StormTeam 5 Meteorologist Mike Wankum said the intense storm activity was fueled by the day’s heat and humidity.A fire believed to be caused by lightning caused the death of an 84-year-old woman in New Hampshire on Thursday night, fire officials said.The fire marshal’s office reminded residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms and clear exits in their homes.

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. —

A MetroWest home was demolished late Friday night, just hours after lightning ignited a fire that quickly spread.

The blaze started in the middle of an intense thunderstorm that pummeled the region with lightning and downpours.

Video shows firefighters responding to the home on Sears Road before 4 pm At the time, a strong thunderstorm was moving through the area.

Southborough fire chief Steven Achilles said it was a lightning strike that hit the chimney that started this fire.

Three firefighters were transported to the hospital with injuries battling the blaze, Achilles said.

Two firefighters had broken bones and one suffered a hand injury during a so-called flashover incident.

“They had fire above them, and the heat kept on coming down and down, and it got fresh air, and basically the second floor engulfed in fire,” Achillies said

“Crews had to bailout down the stairwell, Achillies said. “Some of them got injured when that happened.”

Southborough police say several homes were struck in the area during the storm.

“We know we had some trees down and some other lightning strikes, but no other structure fires,” Achillies said.

Approximately 50 members from various departments helped battle the fire.

StormTeam 5 Interactive Radar recorded several strikes in the area around Sears Road.

StormTeam 5 Meteorologist Mike Wankum said the intense storm activity was fueled by the day’s heat and humidity.

A fire believed to be caused by lightning caused the death of an 84-year-old woman in New Hampshire on Thursday night, fire officials said. The fire marshal’s office reminded residents to make sure they have working smoke alarms and clear exits in their homes.

.

Categories
US

Lightning strike near White House leaves 3 dead, 1 injured

Lightning strike near White House leaves 3 dead, 1 injured

A husband and wife from Wisconsin celebrating more than five decades of marriage were killed in a lightning strike outside the White House. A third victim was pronounced dead Friday evening, and one other is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, of Janesville, Wisconsin, died of their injuries after the lightning strike Thursday in Lafayette Park, located directly outside the White House complex, the Metropolitan Police Department said Friday.

A third victim, a 29-year-old adult male, was pronounced dead Friday. The fourth person, a woman, was in critical condition, the police department said. Their identities were not immediately released.

Authorities did not reveal how the people were injured, other than to say they were critically hurt in the lightning strike.

The Muellers were on a trip to Washington, DC, to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary, according to their niece, Michelle McNett of Janesville.

A lightning strike hits a tree in Lafayette Park across from the White House, killing three people and injuring one person on August 4, 2022 in Washington.
A lightning strike hits a tree in Lafayette Park across from the White House, killing three people and injuring one person on August 4, 2022 in Washington.
REUTERS

“They were a very loving couple,” McNett told the Wisconsin State Journal. “They were very, very family oriented. I think everyone’s just in shock right now and kind of request privacy.”

The couple had five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, she told the paper.

Donna Mueller was a teacher and in retirement worked at the Comfort Shoppe, a local furniture store. Jim, 76, was a retired contractor who had his own drywall business.

McNett said she’s not sure why the couple picked the nation’s capital for their vacation, but added that “Donna was a constant learner.”

A Secret Service officer patrols Lafayette Park near the White House in Washington, DC after a lightning strike killed three people on August 4, 2022.
A Secret Service officer patrols Lafayette Park near the White House in Washington, DC after a lightning strike killed three people on August 4, 2022.
Bryan Olin Dozier/NurPhoto/Shutt

The husband and wife, according to their childhood, loved having gatherings and just had a big family gathering a couple of weeks ago.

“They were very religious,” she said. “Just the kind of people who would give the shirt off their back to do anything for you, both of them.”

Officers with the Secret Service and the US Park Police witnessed the lightning strike Thursday night and ran over to render first aid, officials said. Emergency medical crews were called to the scene just before 7 pm and had transported all of the victims to the hospital with “critical, life-threatening injuries,” fire department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said.

“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.”

.

Categories
US

4 in critical condition after lightning strike near White House

4 in critical condition after lightning strike near White House

Four people were critically injured following a lightning strike Thursday evening in Lafayette Square, just north of the White House, authorities said.

The four patients, two men and two women, were all taken to area hospitals in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said in a Thursday evening news briefing.

The lightning strike was reported at 6:52 pm The victims were near a statue of Andrew Jackson, Maggiolo said, adding that “it appeared they were in the vicinity of a tree.”

Uniformed Secret Service agents and US Park Police officers who were in the area and witnessed the strike provided first aid to the victims, Maggiolo said.

“Their agents, their officers, witnessed this lightning strike and immediately began to render aid,” Maggiolo said.

It’s unclear exactly what the victims were doing at the time.

“All we know for sure is that there was a lightning strike in their immediate vicinity, and all four were injured,” he said.

A CBS News camera that was recording on the White House North Lawn around the time of the lightning strike captured the powerful rumble of the thunder.

“The thunder was so loud, @gabrielle_ake and I jumped up in fright,” CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes tweeted. “‘That’s too close – we’re shutting down’ advised photographer Ron Windham.”

.