The four people were at a park outside the White House when the lightning strike hit.
WASHINGTON — A couple in their 70s have died and two other people are hospitalized in critical condition following a lightning strike near the White House in Northwest D.C.
In a press conference Thursday night, officials explained that just after 6:50 p.m. officials received a call about the lightning strike in Lafayette Park involving multiple people.
U.S. Secret Service agents and U.S. Park Police officers were standing nearby when the lightning strike happened and was able to help the victims until first responders arrived.
According to a tweet from DC Fire and EMS, the four people were at the park outside the White House when the lightning strike happened. Witnesses tell WUSA9 that the four people were standing under a tree when the lightning strike hit.
The four people, two men and two women who have not been identified, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. DC Police said a couple visiting from Janesville, Wisconsin died at the hospital, while the other two victims remain in critical condition. The couple was identified as James and Donna Mueller, 76 and 75 respectively.
Officials advise the public to go indoors and seek shelter whenever there is lightning or thunder.
"If it roars, go indoors," a DC Fire/EMS official said during the press conference.
With more storms rolling in Friday, the National Park Service offers advice if you get caught outside in one of them:
Stay away from isolated trees or other tall objects. You do not want to be the tallest object! If you are in a forest, stay within a lower group of trees.
Avoid open fields, hills, boulder fields, rocky outcrops, and ridge tops. Do not lie flat on the ground.
Avoid bodies of water and metal objects, which can conduct electricity.
Distance yourself from others in your group. Spread out so that at most only one person is likely to be hurt by lightning and the others can apply first aid.This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
WOW! Our cameras caught the lightning over D.C. Aug. 6, 2019, as big storms rolled through. Click here to watch and subscribe to the WUSA9 YouTube channel.
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