A Florida couple is calling their survival a miracle after lightning struck them during an evening walk earlier this month, triggering a desperate rescue by Good Samaritans whose efforts were captured on police body-camera video.
Aaron Walenga, 48, and his wife, Clare, 43, told News Outlet that the lightning strike in Winter Haven left Aaron confused and unable to move while bystanders worked to revive Clare, who was unconscious, according to the footage.
“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 incident 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 couple was walking hand in hand along the popular West Orange Trail when a storm moved into the area. 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 caring for Clare, who remained unresponsive.
Four Good Samaritans rushed over, called 911 and began CPR on Clare before emergency crews arrived about 10 minutes later, the couple said. Witnesses later told Clare that she had turned blue and was not 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.”
Doctors found that Aaron had fractured eye sockets, a broken nose, damaged teeth, facial cuts and burns on his hand and wrists. He had been holding an umbrella and wearing an Apple Watch when the lightning struck.
Aaron and Clare Walenga recover in the hospital after the Florida couple was struck by lightning on Sept. 2. (Walenga family)
Although both endured serious injuries, including brain bleeds and heart damage, Aaron and Clare described their recovery as “miraculous.” They said follow-up examinations showed those conditions had completely resolved 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 periods of 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 deep 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.”
