Add The New York Post on Google A 20-year-old intern died after being struck by lightning – just days into his life-changing move to Florida to attend the Disney College Program.
Matthew Jenkins was struck by lightning and found unresponsive near a hotel in Celebration on Tuesday evening, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office told WESH.
Jenkins’ dad told the outlet his son, from Shelby Township, Michigan, had just moved to the Sunshine State to start the Disney College Program.
Matthew Eric Jenkins, 20, of Michigan, died after he was found unresponsive Tuesday near downtown Celebration after a lightning strike. Family Handout Witnesses revealed a group was sheltering from the rain when lightning struck. They then noticed a young man had collapsed.
“As soon as I heard that, I started running and I came over here [where it happened],” said witness Felipe Costa. “That’s when I saw the man.”
Costa and other witnesses quickly sprung into action to help Jenkins.
“There was a lady behind me. She came and started CPR also as soon as possible. We were just waiting until the first responders got there.”
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Emergency personnel arrived shortly after, rushing Jenkins to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I had a feeling that it wasn’t good,” Costa said. “I had a feeling.”
Jenkins’ father expressed gratitude for those who tried to save his son, whose exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
The Osceola Sheriff’s Office and Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment. Disney has also been contacted.
