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America August 10, 2022 2 mins read

Lightning strike survivor saved by Secret Service and Doc Martens boots

America ı By Jackie Allen

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Doc Martens boots

Drs claim it is a miracle that a young woman survived the lightning strike that killed 3 people in Lafayette Square outside the White House.  And her Doc Martens boots may have saved her life.

Last Thursday was Amber Escudero-Kontostathis's 28th birthday. The California student was raising money for refugees in Washington, DC when it started to storm.

Amber sought shelter under a large tree with 3 other people. She was standing by banker Brooks Lambertson, 29, and a couple from Wisconsin celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary, James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75.

A “6-stroke lightning flash” hit. And six separate surges of electricity hit in the same spot in less than a second.

The elderly couple was killed instantly. And although Lambertson was revived at the scene, he died at the hospital. 

The lightning stopped Amber's heart. And she was revived by nearby Secret Service agents who rushed over with defibrillators.

Doc Martens boots 

 The woman is still hospitalized and suffering pain from the extensive burns on her body. But according to her brother Robert Escudero she is making "amazing" progress "and getting stronger each day." 

“The Secret Service men saved her. I’ve been trying to find out their names so I can personally thank them. They revived her.”

Amber’s mom, Julie Escudero, posted on Facebook that the family owes a big “thank you” to the quick-thinking Secret Service agents. And the doctors told her that a big part of the miracle was due to her daughter’s Dr. Martens boots.

Dr. Martens, or Doc Martens, is British-made footwear. And the boots have unique thick rubber “Airwair '' soles. It was the soles that are credited with absorbing some of the impacts of the deadly lightning.

Escudero explained that the doctors believe the lightning that struck her daughter “went through her toes and out her left arm.”

Amber's recovery "will be an uphill battle, but she is doing remarkably well after just a few days. She has been moved out of intensive care and is already able to walk.

Amber says she is “beyond grateful and humbled” that friends have started a GoFundMe for her to help with medical costs.

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Jackie Allen

Jackie is a freelance journalist and technology geek. She worked as a telecom project director for AT&T and BellSouth. Before joining the USA Herald she has written books, articles, blogs and whitepapers. Her clients include Samsung and other technology companies.

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