U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Park Police officers rushed to the aid of the two women and two men when they saw the lightning strike, DC Fire and EMS Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo said. The victims were in Lafayette Square across from the White House and were near the central statue of former President Andrew Jackson, as well as a tree, Maggiolo said. Medics transported the women and men to area hospitals. Maggiolo said he could not elaborate on their exact injuries. “All we know for sure is that there was lightning in their area, in their immediate vicinity, and all four were injured,” Maggiolo said. “I was just in shock,” said witness David Root. “I just couldn’t believe it. it was surreal. I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life.” He described hearing “a horrible explosion”. He said he goes to Lafayette Square every night with a group to show support for the people of Ukraine. When it started to rain, he hid under a tree until he saw lightning strike the park. Without thinking, he sprang into action to save a man’s life. “We saw a lot of people by a tree and they weren’t moving, so I ran over there to try to help,” Root said. “A lot of people ran over there and I did chest compressions on him with another person. We were taking turns.” “We were standing there and suddenly there was this horrible sound,” said witness Anna Mackiewicz, who is visiting from Poland. “We started screaming and my husband said, ‘Let’s just leave.’ I saw out of the corner of my eye. I saw, you know, the light.” “I just hope and pray that these people survive,” Root said. “That’s the most important thought on my mind right now.” The storms passed through DC and surrounding areas around 6:30 p.m. The severe weather inundated parts of the region after a stormy day with temperatures in the mid-90s and heat indices above 100. News4’s Jackie Bensen is on the scene. Stay with News4 for updates on this developing story.