A mother of four died in New South Wales over the weekend after a tree exploded following a lightning strike.
Rosanna Hashem was with her friend outside when lightning struck a tree at around 5.30pm (local time) on Saturday in Cawdor, south-west of Sydney.
She died at the scene and her friend was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Jemma Powell, who worked for Hashem for the past seven months, told 9News she was “blessed to have known her for a short time”.
“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.”
Powell told reporters Hashem was sitting on the veranda of her home when she was struck by flying debris from the exploded tree.
Hashem owned The Groomery Sydney, which she ran from her property.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of Rosanna’s passing following an unexpected accident,” the business said in a Facebook post.
NSW ambulance spokesperson David Kyanston told 9News both women were seated around 6m from a large tree which exploded when it was struck by lightning, sending debris “all over the place”.
“This was a freak… traumatic and tragic incident for the family involved but also very confronting for emergency services.”
