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Nick Broderick says he always felt like lightning struck him when he realized Eva was the one — and, in a literal twist, that’s exactly what happened. The couple were hiking in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine State Forest in August 2025 when a storm cut their walk short and changed their lives forever.
Rain closed in as they neared the trailhead, and a sudden bolt hit a nearby tree. The strike sent a jolt through the ground that left Nick immobile and not breathing. Eva sprang into action, and what began as a terrifying emergency soon became the moment that sealed their future together.
How the lightning strike unfolded on the Kettle Moraine trail
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The pair were about two miles from their vehicle when the weather turned. A downpour forced them to hurry toward the parking lot with no shelter in sight. At one point Eva even asked aloud whether they might be struck by lightning — a question that foreshadowed what followed.
A flash hit a tree close to them. Instead of a direct hit, the dangerous current traveled through the ground and into their bodies. Nick collapsed, his skin turning bluish and his breathing stopping. Eva later described feeling intense electricity up through her feet while curled around him.
Immediate lifesaving: CPR, a poor signal, and restarting his heart twice
With Nick unresponsive, Eva dialed 911 but struggled to convey their position because cell service was weak and the exact trail location was hard to describe. While waiting for help to arrive, she performed CPR and, at one point, restarted his heart twice.
- Eva stayed by Nick’s side and administered continuous chest compressions.
- Search and rescue teams took nearly 50 minutes to reach them because of the remote trail location and limited reception.
- Her interventions kept Nick alive until rescuers could evacuate them to emergency care.
The couple’s ordeal was later covered by local outlets, including Action News 5, which highlighted Eva’s quick thinking and stamina during the rescue effort.
Recovery, recognition, and the unexpected proposal
Nick survived and was hospitalized for three days. Medical staff documented a few lasting issues from the strike: minor hearing loss in one ear and some tendon damage, but no life-altering disabilities. After he was discharged, Nick made a decision that felt inevitable: he proposed to Eva, a small, powerful gesture to mark that she had literally and figuratively given him back his life.
The couple tied the knot just under a year after the lightning incident — almost to the day they nearly died on the trail. In recognition of her actions, Eva was presented with a lifesaving award from the Palmyra Fire Department for performing CPR and keeping Nick alive until professional help arrived.
What hikers can learn from this near-tragedy
While every emergency is different, this story highlights several practical safety points that can help outdoor enthusiasts stay safer in storms:
- Know the forecast: Check weather conditions before heading out and avoid exposed trails if thunderstorms are expected.
- Seek proper shelter: If you can’t reach a sturdy building, move to lower ground and avoid lone trees or open ridges.
- Learn CPR: Immediate chest compressions and early resuscitation can be the difference between life and death.
- Share your route: Tell someone your planned trail and expected return time so rescuers have better information if you get lost or injured.
- Carry emergency gear: A charged phone, whistle, and basic first-aid supplies can help stabilize a situation until help arrives.
Why this moment resonated beyond survival
The image of a girlfriend performing CPR on her partner, then accepting his proposal in the days after he survived, captured public attention because it folds together trauma, devotion, and hope. For Nick and Eva, the lightning strike rewired more than their plans for the day — it rewired their shared story.
Stories like theirs circulate widely because they remind readers that in moments of crisis, training and presence of mind can save lives — and sometimes, change them in unintended, lasting ways.
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Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.
