DC Fire and EMS said they responded to Lafayette Park, which is in front of the White House, and are treating the four patients who were found “in the area of a tree.” Two men and two women were taken to area hospitals with “life-threatening injuries” after the apparent lightning strike, DC Fire and EMS said. Officials said it’s still unclear what the adults were doing before the lightning strike, whether they knew each other and why they were at the park. The identities of the victims could not be confirmed while the investigation is still ongoing, officials said. In this photo posted to the DC Fire and EMS Twitter account, first responders work at the scene of a lightning strike in Washington, DC, on August 4, 2022. DC Fire and EMS/Twitter Uniformed U.S. park rangers and members of the Secret Service were also on the scene and immediately rendered aid to the victims, an EMS official said during a news conference. In this photo posted to the DC Fire and EMS Twitter account, first responders work at the scene of a lightning strike in Washington, DC, on August 4, 2022. DC Fire and EMS/Twitter The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area Thursday afternoon. ABC News’ Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report.
