Beloved mother killed in lightning strike

A beloved mother has tragically died after a tree exploded following a lightning strike in New South Wales on Saturday. 

Rosanna Hashem was enjoying the afternoon in her backyard with a friend when a lightning bolt struck a tree close to her home in Cawdor, south-west of Sydney.

Her friend was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, while Rosanna died at the scene after being pierced with wood shrapnel from the tree's explosion.

Jemma Powell, who worked for Hashem for the past seven months, described the incident as "really tragic".

"I was blessed to have known her for a short time," she said.

"She was a beautiful mother of four boys, a loving wife, sole owner of her own business. She had been working hard over the past five years serving the community."

"She was very passionate about animal welfare and just a fabulous person taken way too soon."

Jemma has set up a GoFundMe in the wake of Rosanna's sudden death, saying she will always be remembered as "a beautiful mother of four boys (and a) loving wife".

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"Rose was not only the heart and foundation of The Groomery but also a beloved mother of four boys, a devoted wife, a cherished sister, and a dear friend to so many," the GoFundMe reads.

"Over the past five years, she and her team poured their hearts into building a warm and trusted community, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void. Rose’s care, laughter, and kindness brought people together, creating a family - one that will forever carry her memory forward."

NSW Ambulance spokesman David Kynaston last night said the second woman, also aged in her 40s, was taken to Liverpool Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

"Both (women) had been seated about six metres from a large tree and this had been struck by a lightning bolt, which literally caused the tree to explode, sending debris all over the place," Kynaston said.

"This was a freak... traumatic and tragic incident for the family involved but also very confronting for emergency services."

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Image credits: Facebook