WINTER GARDEN, Fla. (WESH) – Clare and Aaron Walenga said they are grateful to be alive after being struck by lightning while holding hands on the West Orange Trail.
“They were struck by lightning. Their umbrella was struck by lightning, and then they were both on their face,” according to the report.
The Walengas said they usually walk the trail near downtown Winter Garden on Wednesday nights after dropping their children off at a church youth group.
Two weeks ago, Aaron said he checked a weather app and noticed a storm on the other side of town.
“We couldn’t see any of the lightning or I don’t remember hearing any of the thunder. And so, we we decided to walk back,” Aaron Walenga said.
Amber Mcmanus and Michael Sachetti Weyand had just passed the couple on the trail when lightning struck.
“There’s a fence along the West Orange Trail right where we were. And sparks kind of came off of it along the way, which we could see in our peripheral vision. And then so then we turned around,” Charlotte Sachetti Weyand said.
One of the bystanders immediately called for help.
Aaron said he was on the ground after falling face first.
“I couldn’t move my limbs. I couldn’t, respond the way I wanted to. I wanted to get to Clare, and I just couldn’t get up. I couldn’t really move. And I was in, the worst pain of my life,” Aaron Walenga said.
The bystanders said Clare had stopped breathing and turned blue.
“Instinctually, I started to CPR, which instinctually is not something I do every day. I’ve never done CPR before in my life. But in that moment, I knew that I had to start,” Michael Sachetti Weyand said.
Road to recovery
The Walengas spent a few days in the hospital. Aaron’s facial wounds are healing, and Clare has recovered from short-term memory loss caused by a concussion.
“There were so many miracles that we witnessed from Claire being brought back to life to, the four of you being there on that trail at that time,” Aaron Walenga said.
“This gift of life that we have is just so beautiful,” Clare Walenga said.