The woman who tragically died after a freak lightning strike caused a tree to shatter in Sydney‘s southwest has been identified as a much-loved mum of four.
Rosanna Hashem was fatally struck when lightning hit her property on Old Razorback Rd in Cawdor around 5.30pm on Saturday, the day before her 44th birthday.
Ms Hashem was sitting in her backyard when the tragic incident occurred, with several children witnessing.
She had been pierced by wood shrapnel when the lightning strike caused a tree to explode near where she had been sitting. She died at the scene.
A friend was talking on her phone when it exploded in her hand due to the power surge caused by the lightning, partially amputating her finger and fracturing her jaw.
She is recovering at Liverpool Hospital where she is in 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,’ NSW Ambulance Inspector David Kynaston said.
‘This is a very traumatic and tragic incident for the family involved but also very confronting for emergency services who attended, both in the knowledge that young children had witnessed the incident but also the injuries sustained by the patients.’
Rosanna Hashem was fatally struck when lightning hit her property on Old Razorback Rd in Cawdor around 5.30pm on Saturday
A tree exploded as it was struck by lightning, killing a woman nearby and injuring another
NSW Ambulance Inspector David Kynaston called the incident traumatic for the family and confronting for emergency responders, with young children witnessing
Ms Hashem was the owner of The Groomery Cat Grooming Services, a business based at her home where the accident happened.
Neighbour Rob Campisi said the freak storm came out of nowhere and was unlike anything he had experienced in the ten years he had lived in the area.
‘It just started to rain, and then all of a sudden just the loudest bang we’ve ever heard,’ Mr Campisi told the Daily Telegraph.
‘The power went out and (I was) in the shed and … I looked outside and saw a big cloud of smoke.’
Mr Campisi said the weather conditions had not seemed dangerous enough to require staying inside.
Ms Hashem was the dedicated mother of four boys
Neighbour Rob Campisi said the weather didn’t seem severe enough to warrant staying inside
‘Sometimes you just don’t know when it’s your time,’ he said.
Ms Hashem has been remembered as ‘a beautiful mother of four boys (and a) loving wife’.
‘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,’ her friend and coworker, Jemma Powell, said on GoFundMe.
‘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.’
The business will remain closed until further notice.
Ms Hashem was the owner of The Groomery Cat Grooming Services, which was based at her Cawdor home, where the tragic lightning strike occurred.
‘For those who have placed a deposit for an upcoming appointment, please rest assured that we will be reaching out in the coming days to arrange refunds,’ the GoFundMe page read.
Sydney is expected to see further storms and lightning in the early days of next week, followed by several days of rain.