Winter Garden, Florida — Aaron and Clare Walenga were simply taking an evening walk together when a lightning strike suddenly left both of them critically injured. Two weeks after the terrifying incident, the Florida couple is speaking publicly about what happened and the difficult recovery that followed.
The couple, who live in Apopka, were walking along the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden on the evening of Sept. 2 after dropping their children off at a church youth group. Several storms were moving through the area that evening when lightning struck near the couple, causing both to collapse.
Bystander Called 911 After Seeing Couple Collapse
Emergency crews were alerted around 7:25 p.m. local time after receiving a report of a possible lightning strike involving people on the trail.
Winter Garden Fire Chief José P. Gainza, Jr. said crews were dispatched after reports of a possible patient who had been struck by lightning and was down.
A bystander who was on the trail called 911 after witnessing what happened.“They had an umbrella and it struck them and they both collapsed,” the woman said, according to WESH 2. “And the one gentleman is bleeding from his face. Neither of them have come to, but they’re moving and breathing.”
The situation quickly became even more concerning when the woman asked the dispatcher, “Wait, is she still breathing?” The dispatcher instructed her to begin chest compressions while emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Aaron, 48, and Clare, 43, were eventually taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Lightning Struck During a Stormy Evening
The area around the trail was experiencing several storms that night. First Warning Meteorologist Cam Tran said there were between seven and nine lightning strikes in the area around the time of the incident.
At the time, the couple’s identities were not immediately released. They have since been identified as Aaron and Clare Walenga of Apopka.
Another witness, Amber McManus, told that she and Charlotte Sachetti Weyand saw sparks coming from a nearby fence and then witnessed the couple being struck.
Their quick call for emergency help became a critical part of the response.
Aaron Recalls Being Unable to Move
In an interview published Friday, Sept. 18, Aaron described the frightening physical effects he experienced after the lightning strike.
He said he was conscious at times but struggled to understand what was happening around him.
“I was in and out, but I do remember … I couldn’t see… ,” Aaron said. “I couldn’t move my legs, I couldn’t move my limbs … respond the way I wanted to.”
Despite experiencing what he described as “the worst pain of my life,” Aaron said his focus remained on getting to his wife.
The couple’s condition was serious enough that both required hospitalization, but their recovery has continued to progress in the weeks since the incident.
Clare Describes a Powerful Recovery
Clare experienced a concussion and short-term memory loss following the lightning strike. Aaron also suffered bruising to his face, although those injuries have since begun to heal.
As she recovered, Clare said she experienced what she described as a profound sense of faith and connection.
“There were so many miracles that we witnessed from Clare being brought back to life,” Aaron said, “to the four of you being there on that trail at that time.”
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Clare also spoke about the days immediately following the incident.
“Between all the prayer, I’ve never felt my spirit soar like it has,” she told. “Those first three to five days… I could constantly feel… the Lord’s presence in my life.”
Couple Continues Recovery After Critical Injuries
A GoFundMe fundraiser launched two days after the lightning strike said the couple was receiving care from the medical team at Orlando Health and was stable and recovering.
The fundraiser said Clare had made “significant progress” and that Aaron was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
“We have seen God answer so many prayers, and Clare and Aaron have come a long way in such a short amount of time,” the fundraiser read. “Most importantly, please continue to pray for the Walengas.”
The fundraiser also said:
“We are trusting in the Lord and holding firmly to His promises. We know that God can do exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine,”
Two weeks after the frightening experience, Aaron and Clare are looking ahead rather than focusing only on what happened. The couple told that they hope to eventually return to the West Orange Trail for a Wednesday evening walk.
What do you think about Aaron and Clare’s decision to return to the trail after surviving such a frightening experience? Share your thoughts in the comments.
