CELEBRATION, Fla. – Good Samaritans are sharing the moments they rushed to help a 20-year-old Disney College Program participant who died after an apparent lightning strike in Celebration, as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Matthew Eric Jenkins, of Shelby Township, Michigan, had moved to Central Florida just last week to begin the Disney College Program.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said Jenkins was found unresponsive Tuesday evening on a walking trail behind a hotel in Celebration shortly after lightning struck in the area. Bystanders immediately began CPR before first responders arrived. Jenkins was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Good Samaritans rushed to help
What they’re saying:
Felipe Costa said he and his brother were walking along the Celebration trail when a fast-moving storm rolled in, forcing them to seek shelter.
“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,” Costa said.
Moments later, panicked bystanders called for help.
“I ran up to them and one of them said someone fell. I heard that, and I just ran,” Costa said.
Costa found Jenkins lying on the ground alongside another woman who immediately began lifesaving efforts.
“The woman behind me came in and checked for his pulse, his breathing, and started CPR right away,” Costa said.
Another witness, Spyro Betz, said he had just reached his vehicle when he heard what sounded like a lightning strike directly overhead.
“I heard the big crack of lightning that was like right overhead,” Betz said.
Betz initially thought the bolt had hit a nearby building.
“When I heard the lightning strike, I expected it hit the building or something like that or hit the hotel. I didn’t expect it to hit a person,” he said.
According to FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar, a lightning strike was detected in the area around 6:25 p.m., about the time witnesses said the incident occurred.
Remembering Matthew Jenkins
Jenkins’ family described him as kind, funny and full of energy.
Matthew Eric Jenkins, 20, of Shelby Township, Michigan
His father said the family made annual trips to Walt Disney World and that Jenkins had recently moved to Florida to begin the Disney College Program. He was also training for the Chicago Marathon and frequently ran on Celebration’s trails.
Matthew Eric Jenkins, 20, of Shelby Township, Michigan
After learning Jenkins had died, Costa returned to the trail and placed flowers where he had collapsed.
“I went over to the spot. I picked some flowers around and I put them down where he was,” Costa said. “I wanted to leave that as a memory.”
Disney mourns participant
Disney released a statement expressing condolences to Jenkins’ family.”We are deeply saddened by the passing of Matthew. He had just begun his Disney College Program journey and will always be remembered as part of our Disney community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” a Disney spokesperson said.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, and the medical examiner will determine Jenkins’ official cause of death.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Spyro Betz, who was in the area when the suspected lightning bolt struck Jenkins, Walt Disney World Resort.