A Florida couple described surviving a lightning strike earlier this month as nothing short of a miracle. The bolt hit them during an evening walk, triggering a desperate rescue by several good Samaritans whose efforts were captured on police body-camera video.
Speaking with News Media, Aaron Walenga, 48, and his wife, Clare, 43, recalled the terrifying incident in Winter Haven. Aaron was left confused and unable to move, while bystanders rushed to perform lifesaving measures on Clare after she lost consciousness.
“I couldn’t move the way I wanted to,” Aaron 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.”
The couple said the lightning strike occurred Sept. 2, after they dropped off their three children at a weekly church youth group gathering.
Aaron and Clare Walenga, center, reunite with the four good Samaritans who helped save their lives after the Florida couple was struck by lightning on Sept. 2. They were identified as Charlotte, Michael, Amber and Tiffany. (Walenga family)
“We dropped our kids off at church, and we use that as our date night, and we looked forward to it,” Aaron said. “So we went out and had dinner and then, we love to go for a walk.”
The pair were walking hand in hand along the popular West Orange Trail when a storm moved in quickly. Without warning, lightning struck them both.
Aaron’s next memory was waking up in intense pain, confused about what had happened.
“My first thought was that we got hit by a car,” he said. “I thought maybe a car just ran us over from behind because getting struck by lightning is nothing that would even enter our minds.”
Still disoriented, Aaron noticed bystanders and first responders attending to Clare, who remained unresponsive.
Four good Samaritans had rushed over, called 911 and begun CPR on Clare before emergency responders arrived approximately 10 minutes later, the couple said. Witnesses later told Clare that she had turned blue and stopped breathing for three to four minutes.
“I like to talk about the amount of bravery that they showed . . . they could see the fence beside them that lit up,” Aaron said. “It was a big moment to turn around and then go, ‘Hey, I think we need to go that direction.’ And they did.”
At the hospital, doctors found that Aaron had fractured eye sockets, a broken nose, damaged teeth and facial cuts. He also suffered burns to his hands and wrists, where he had been holding an umbrella and wearing an Apple Watch.
Aaron and Clare Walenga recover in the hospital after the Florida couple was struck by lightning on Sept. 2. (Walenga family)
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Although both endured serious injuries, Aaron and Clare called their recovery “miraculous.” They said they suffered brain bleeds and heart damage, but follow-up examinations showed the conditions had completely healed within two days.
“We’re just seeing miracle after miracle and just too many divine things in this unfortunate circumstance to not be noted,” Clare said.
“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. Neither of us had any brain bleed damage and my heart situation completely healed,” she added.
Clare experienced intermittent memory loss but said she had fully regained her memory about two days after the strike.
“God’s not done with me yet,” Clare said, expressing profound gratitude for being alive.
Aaron and Clare Walenga pose with their daughter and two sons at a home. (Walenga family)
Since the incident, the family said they have built a strong relationship with the good Samaritans who stepped in that day, adding that they are even planning to return to the trail in a few weeks.
The couple said they are overwhelmed by the support they have received from their local church, neighborhood and school communities.
Their pastor also helped bring their children safely home on the night of the lightning strike.
“Our neighbors are taking care of our yard and our pool for us, so it’s just so many things happening without us even asking,” Aaron said.
Aaron and Clare Walenga pose with their family in front of an Air Force jet. Aaron served in the Air Force for 24 years before retiring two years ago. (Walenga family)
“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.”
Throughout the ordeal, the couple said they never felt hopeless, crediting their faith for helping them through the shocking experience.
“We’ve never asked ‘Why me?’” Aaron said. “We never got upset, we never felt hopeless. We really felt like even though it was a hard situation . . . God’s been with us and there’s a purpose behind it.”