DISNEY INTERN, 20, DIES IN LIGHTNING STRIKE DAYS AFTER MOVING TO FLORIDA FOR HIS DREAM JOB

Matthew Jenkins had only just begun his new chapter at Disney. Days after moving from Michigan to Florida, the 20-year-old intern was caught in a sudden storm — and never made it home.

Matthew Jenkins, a 20-year-old Disney College Program intern from Shelby Township, Michigan, died after being struck by lightning Tuesday evening — just days after moving to Florida to begin what was supposed to be an exciting new chapter.

Jenkins had recently relocated to the Sunshine State for the Disney College Program.

On Tuesday, he was running in a park near the Celebration Hotel in Osceola County when an unexpected thunderstorm moved through the area.

According to a report from the Osceola County Medical Examiner, Jenkins sought shelter under a tree as the storm intensified.

Then, around 6:30 p.m., lightning struck.

Witnesses nearby suddenly saw a young man collapse.

BYSTANDERS RUSHED TO HELP

Witness Felipe Costa said he immediately ran toward Jenkins after hearing the strike.

Another woman began performing CPR while bystanders waited for emergency crews to arrive.

Despite the efforts to revive him, Jenkins was rushed to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead following extensive resuscitation efforts, according to the sheriff’s office and medical examiner’s report.

Hospital staff reportedly told the medical examiner that Jenkins had apparent lightning exit wounds on his feet.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

HE HAD ONLY BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR DAYS

What makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking is how recently Jenkins had arrived in Florida.

His father told local media that Matthew had moved from Michigan only about a week earlier to begin the Disney College Program.

It was supposed to be the beginning of a completely new life.

Instead, his family received devastating news just days into that journey.

Those who knew him described Matthew as energetic, kind and fun.

His father also said the family had made annual trips to Walt Disney World — making his connection to Disney especially meaningful.

DISNEY MOURNS ITS NEWEST INTERN

Disney also released a statement following the tragedy.

The company said it was deeply saddened by Matthew’s passing and noted that he had only just begun his Disney College Program journey.

The company said he would always be remembered as part of the Disney community.

His family, friends and fellow Disney participants are now left mourning a young man whose new beginning ended almost as soon as it started.

Matthew Jenkins moved to Florida chasing a new opportunity.

He never got the chance to see where that opportunity could have taken him.

A dream job had just begun. His life was only beginning — and then one sudden storm changed everything.

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