Disney College Program Cast Member Found Dead After Lightning Strike
The Walt Disney World family is in mourning after a 20-year-old Disney College Program Cast Member was found unresponsive near downtown Celebration.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the victim has been identified as Matthew Eric Jenkins of Shelby Township, Michigan.
Jenkins’ father told WESH 2 that he had moved to Florida last week to begin his Disney College Program.
Witnesses Were on the Scene
According to the WESH 2 report, witness Felipe Costa was in Celebration taking shelter from a storm on Bloom Street when he heard lightning strike nearby.
Costa quickly noticed a man had collapsed nearby.
“As soon as I heard that, I started running and I came over here [where it happened]. That’s when I saw the man,” Costa said. “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.”
The Aftermath
Jenkins was taken to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Photo: positivelyosceola.com
“I have so much more respect for what storms are capable of, what nature’s capable of, and we gotta learn how to respect that and know how to deal with it,” Costa said. “Taking cover during storms right now is absolutely a priority for me.”
At this time, the medical examiner has not determined the exact cause of Jenkins’ death.
Photo: WESH 4
His father, however, told WESH that he was grateful to Costa and the other bystanders who came to his son’s aid.
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