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Bodycam Video Shows Married Couple After Being Struck By Lightning
The married couple, who have been together for 17 years, were walking hand-in-hand along the West Orange Trail on Sept. 2 when they were struck by lightning. Their children were attending church youth group at the time.
What happened next was captured in police bodycam footage and 911 calls, showing the frantic moments as strangers rushed to help the couple.
Good Samaritans Stop to Help
The Walengas were found in critical condition after the strike. Three people who were nearby stopped, called 911 and began providing emergency aid.
Clare was unresponsive and not breathing, prompting the bystanders to begin CPR while communicating with emergency dispatchers.
“We're doing CPR,” one caller told the dispatcher, according to the 911 recording.
Those quick actions are now being credited with helping save Clare's life.
The couple's school community later learned that the three strangers had stopped after briefly leaving the area and returning — a decision school officials believe proved crucial.
Aaron Remembers Holding Clare's Hand
According to the Winter Garden police incident report, Aaron told an officer that he remembered holding Clare's hand immediately before they were struck.
That detail has taken on special meaning for the couple's loved ones.
Aaron and Clare both work at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden. Aaron teaches leadership and coaches lacrosse and golf, while Clare works in the school's admissions office. Their three children also attend the school.
Foundation Academy President Jeff Lawrence described the couple as deeply devoted to each other and said their community was grateful they survived.
A Terrifying Hospital Stay
After the strike, both Aaron and Clare were hospitalized.
School officials said Aaron was awake and able to speak, although he was in significant pain. Clare's condition was more serious initially, with doctors placing her on a breathing tube.
The family and their community received encouraging news when doctors were able to remove the breathing tube.
“They're alive,” Lawrence said, emphasizing how grateful the school community was for their survival.
Now They're Telling Their Story
The Walengas are now opening up about the frightening experience in an interview with Inside Edition's Alison Hall, reflecting on the moments after the lightning strike and the fight to survive together.
Their story is not only about the sudden danger of lightning but also about the strangers who stepped in when they were most vulnerable.
For a couple who began the evening simply enjoying a walk together, the night became a life-changing reminder of how quickly circumstances can change — and how critical a stranger's decision to stop and help can be.
Community Rallies Around the Family
The Foundation Academy community has rallied around the Walengas as they continue their recovery.
A GoFundMe campaign established on behalf of Aaron says both remain in need of medical care and that the family faces a long road ahead, including medical expenses and other needs. The campaign also describes Aaron and Clare as people who have spent years serving their school and community.
Their story has since resonated far beyond their immediate community, with people offering prayers and financial support as the couple continues to heal.
For Aaron and Clare, the memory of that evening will forever be tied to the moment they were struck by lightning — but also to the people who refused to leave them alone on the trail.
Source: Inside Edition
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