A 20-year-old Walt Disney World Resort cast member’s promising start with the Disney College Program ended in tragedy this week, after he was struck by lightning while sheltering from a storm in Celebration, Florida.
A Sudden Tragedy in Celebration
The incident unfolded on September 8, when a group of people took shelter from a storm along a walking path behind a hotel on Bloom Street in Celebration. Lightning struck nearby, and witnesses quickly noticed a man had collapsed, rushing to his aid.
The man was later identified as 20-year-old Matthew Eric Jenkins of Shelby Township, Michigan. According to his father, who spoke with WESH 2, Jenkins had relocated to Central Florida just one week earlier to participate in the Disney College Program, an internship opportunity at Walt Disney World Resort.
Witnesses Describe the Scene
Felipe Costa, one of the bystanders who ran to help, recounted the moments following the strike in an interview with WESH 2.
“As soon as I heard that, I started running and I came over here [where it happened]. That’s when I saw the man,” he 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 Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Jenkins was taken to Celebration Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A Community Mourns
After learning of Jenkins’ passing, Costa returned to the site to leave a flower in his memory.
“I had a feeling that it wasn’t good,” he recalled. “I had a feeling.”
Costa also reflected on how the experience changed his perspective on severe weather.
“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,” he continued. “Taking cover during storms right now is absolutely a priority for me.”
Jenkins’ father expressed the family’s gratitude to everyone who rushed to help his son in his final moments.
The medical examiner has not yet determined an official cause of death for Matthew Eric Jenkins.
The Disney Dining team sends its thoughts and condolences to Matthew’s family, friends, and fellow cast members.
