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I Thought I Was a Widow': Wife Saves Husband's Life After Horrific Lightning Strike
Cora Jean Leenheer may be the reason her husband is still alive after he was struck by lightening. (Image source: KCNC-TV)

I Thought I Was a Widow': Wife Saves Husband's Life After Horrific Lightning Strike

"They were both dead."

A Colorado woman is being hailed a hero as she may be the sole reason her husband is still alive after he was struck by lightning Wednesday.

KCNC reported that Jerry Leenheer, 71, was completely unresponsive after he and his dog were struck by lightning outside of their house in Golden Gate Canyon, Colorado as he was trimming trees. But Leenheer survived and is recovering at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood — thanks to his wife, Cora Jean.

Cora Jean Leenheer may be the reason her husband is still alive after he was struck by lightning. (Image source: KCNC-TV)

“He was lying there, no pulse, not breathing, his eyes were open and staring,” Cora Jean told KCNC.

“They were both dead. His hat was blown to pieces and his shirt was just in shreds,” she said.

Cora Jean didn't have cell reception and KCNC reported that no one could hear her pleas for help. On her own, Cora Jean said she started praying and doing chest compressions.

Cora Jean shows KCNC her husband's shirt after her was struck by lightning. (Image source: KCNC)

“I just started doing chest compressions right away, praying and telling him to come back, I wasn’t going to let him go… I thought I was a widow," she said.

Fifteen minutes went by before she was able to enlist a neighbor's help. Twenty minutes after she had started doing the chest compressions, Jerry took a breath.

Jerry is reportedly aware of what happened, although a little confused, KCNC said. But Cora Jean's son, Andrew, is hailing his mother as a hero.

“So impressed with how clear-headed she was through this situation, how she was thinking about the right things to do,” Andrew told KCNC.

KCNC reported that unfortunately the Leenheers' dog did not survive.

(H/T: KCNC-TV)

 

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