This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-62431231

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Two dead after lightning strike near White House Three dead after lightning strike near White House
(about 11 hours later)
Emergency services were called to the scene near the White House on Thursday The couple were celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary
An elderly couple from Wisconsin have died after they were struck by lightning near the White House in Washington DC, police say. An elderly couple from Wisconsin are among three dead after they were struck by lightning near the White House in Washington DC, police say.
James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, died from their injuries. James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, were visiting the US capital to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary, their niece said.
Two others were struck and injured and have been taken to hospital in the city. On Friday, an unnamed 29-year-old man injured in the strike also died. A fourth person was critically injured.
The victims were in Lafayette Park during a violent storm on Thursday when they were struck down, fire officials said. The victims were in Lafayette Park in a storm on Thursday when they were hit.
The park's closeness to the seat of the US presidency meant members of the US Secret Service were among the first people to assist the victims. The park's proximity to the seat of the US presidency meant members of the US Secret Service were among the first people to tend to the victims.
The White House offered condolences to the families of the couple who died. "We are praying for those still fighting for their lives," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The Muellers are survived by five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, a relative, Michelle McNett, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper.
The White House offered condolences to the families of those who died. "We are praying for those still fighting for their lives," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The lightning struck the four people near a tree by the fence that surrounds the White House complex.The lightning struck the four people near a tree by the fence that surrounds the White House complex.
In the wake of the incident, part of the park remained closed with emergency services at the scene.In the wake of the incident, part of the park remained closed with emergency services at the scene.
The National Weather Service had issued a thunderstorm warning for the area on Thursday.The National Weather Service had issued a thunderstorm warning for the area on Thursday.
Lafayette Square is a seven-acre public park directly north of the White House. It is often crowded with visitors, especially during the summer.Lafayette Square is a seven-acre public park directly north of the White House. It is often crowded with visitors, especially during the summer.
According to US health data, about 40m lightning strikes hit the ground in the US each year, but the odds of someone being struck are less than one in a million, and almost 90% of all such victims survive.
Emergency services were called to the scene near the White House on Thursday