Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was one of four people who survived being struck by lightning in Lafayette Park, just outside the White House complex.
In a Facebook update, Julie Escudero wrote that the lightning that struck her daughter "passed through her toes and left her left arm." "I went out to the hospital," referring to what the doctor said.
Her daughter Doc Martens' thick rubber "airway" boots likely helped weaken the bolts, she told the Ventura County Star. 33}
In the heat of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Amber Escudero Kontostatis spent hours in front of the White House soliciting tourists for donations to help Ukrainian refugees. Her family said they were recruiting.
-
Lightning strikes near the White House kill three and seriously injure one
-
LA man killed three in lightning strike near White House
When she finished her shift last Thursday the week, a storm gathered overhead and thickened with clouds, rain and thunder.
That day happened to be her 28th birthday, her family said. According to her family and authorities, while waiting for her husband to pick her up for a celebratory dinner, Amber sought refuge again from the same tree and found herself with three others under its outstretched branches.
Escudero-Kontostathis was one of four people struck by lightning in Lafayette Park, just outside the White House complex. was the only one who survived. Her family said the lightning strike caused severe burns to the left side of her body and arm. The side of her bag carried her iPad, which she used to register people for refugee donations.
The 29-year-old Los Angeles bank executive said he was one of his three victims murdered, his employer confirmed. Brooks Lambertson, vice president of City National Bank, was at work in Washington, D.C., when lightning struck Lafayette Park Thursday night, the bank said in a statement Saturday.
A couple celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary in Wisconsin were also struck dead by lightning. Donna Mueller, 75, and her husband James Mueller, 76, were high school sweethearts before they got married. For decades, James owned a drywall business where his wife worked as a teacher, according to one of his daughters-in-law, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect her privacy. }
The couple lived in Janesville, Wisconsin, about 70 miles west of Milwaukee, and had five adult children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. "Both would do anything for their family and friends," the relative said in a statement.
Escudero Her Contostatis made a remarkable recovery within days of her accident, her mother said.
"I'm sure her daughter will walk out of this hospital," Julie told County Her Star.
Escudero Her contostatis was visiting Washington, D.C. with her husband Achilles, but since her accident she She left ICU after taking her first steps, her mother said. On facebook.
But she's grappling with survivor's guilt and the pain of a big burn in her stomach that feels "burning," her mother noted. She added that she had met with a trauma counselor.
"She cares a lot about other people.
She described a friend of the family organizing a GoFundme page to help with medical expenses, and as of Tuesday morning she had raised US$44,560. I am grateful and sorry for that."
Escudero-Kontostathis said Johns had planned to begin her master's program in international relations at Hopkins University this fall. This is the latest step in her work trying to help refugees and those in distress abroad.
"She's a great strong-willed person. And she's very heartfelt about other people," said her brother. To get her walking again before class starts later."
Additional reports from The Washington Post and AP
Sign up to receive daily Top Stories from National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
Thank you for registering.
Sending welcome email. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.
The next issue of NP Posted will arrive in your inbox shortly.
