Disney College Participant Killed in Lightning Strike Near Walt Disney World

A tragic incident occurred in Celebration, Florida, when a 20-year-old Disney College Program participant was struck by lightning. Matthew Eric Jenkins, from Shelby Township, Michigan, had moved to Central Florida just last week to begin his program at Walt Disney World Resort.

Jenkins was found unresponsive on a walking trail behind a hotel in Celebration after an apparent lightning strike. Bystanders immediately began CPR before first responders arrived. He was taken to a hospital but later died.

Felipe Costa, who witnessed the incident, said he and his brother were walking along the trail when a fast-moving storm rolled in. 'All of a sudden we saw the flash. We didn't see where the lightning hit, but it was really loud and came really quick. We knew it was close,' he said.

A witness, Spyro Betz, described hearing what sounded like a lightning strike directly overhead. 'I heard the big crack of lightning that was like right overhead,' he said. The incident occurred around 6:25 p.m., according to FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar.