Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was one of the lucky ones to escape the recent lightning strike in Washington, D.C. that claimed the lives of three other individuals. The medical community is referring to Amber’s recovery as a true “miracle”.
On August 4, a lightning bolt struck Amber in Lafayette Square, which is just across the street from the White House.
Family calls Amber Escudero-Kontostathis a miracle and is thanking God she survived being struck by lightning on her 28th birthday. Amber’s mom posted on FB: “Amber was able to take a few steps yesterday evening, it was painful but her will is strong!!” pic.twitter.com/B1uUg2Ms0w
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) August 8, 2022
Fox News reported that Escudero-Kontostathis was discovered laying on the ground after the strong lightning bolt that caused her heart to cease beating, struck her. The United States Secret Service officers who noticed her immediately hurried over with defibrillators to assist the California native who now lives and works in the District of Columbia at the age of 28.
Amber is now being treated for several serious burns over her body. Robert Escudero-Kontostathis, the woman’s brother, said that despite the fact that she is in continual and excruciating agony, his sister is making wonderful progress toward recovery.
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According to Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department:
“The United States Secret Service uniform division and the United States Park Police both observed the strike hit several people and immediately began rendering medical aid to the four victims.” This information was provided by the U.S. Park Police. “The first reaction that we received was rather solid.”
When the lightning hit, Escudero-Kontostathis was working with the charitable organization Threshold Giving to collect money for refugees. Achilles, Escudero-Kontostathis’ boyfriend, was meant to pick her up for a birthday dinner only a few minutes after she was struck by lightning. The meal was to mark Escudero-Kontostathis’ birthday.
She was discharged from the intensive care unit on August 6 and is now recuperating in the burn unit.
Julie Escudero-Kontostathis, the patient’s mother, went on record saying that her daughter is surprising the doctors with how fast she is recovering. Julie also mentioned that her daughter has been able to take a few steps, which is a development that medical staff members were not anticipating at this point.
Julie said that the emergency room physician had approached their family and referred to their daughter as “a miracle.”
In spite of the fact that they have a healthy dose of optimism, Robert said that his sister’s road to recovery will be a difficult struggle, but it is one she will win.
Lying on the ground in Lafayette Square, her heart stopped by the lightning bolt, 28-year-old Amber Escudero-Kontostathis was revived with the help of timely intervention as nearby Secret Service agents rushed over with defibrillators. https://t.co/oVoDE71yGB
— Jesse Ferrell (AccuWeather) (@WeatherMatrix) August 10, 2022
The other people who were hit by the strike, a retired couple from Janesville, Wisconsin named James and Donna Mueller, and a man from Los Angeles named Brooks Lambertson, all passed away.
Her family, including Escudero-Kontostathis, is aware of what happened to the other people who were engaged in the event.
Robert shared his sentiments, saying, ‘We can’t stop thinking about the other families who lost their loved ones.’ We are praying for all of the loved ones who were affected by this tragedy as we are aware of how close we came to losing Amber.