Beloved mother killed after lightning bolt strikes tree during 'freak' incident in NSW

A tragedy occurred in New South Wales yesterday when a lightning strike hit a tree, causing it to explode, resulting in the unfortunate death of a beloved business owner and mother.

Rosanna Hasham was standing outdoors with friends when lightning struck a tree in Cawdor, southwest of Sydney, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Ms. Hasham died at the scene, and her friend was rushed to the hospital.

Gemma Powell, who had been working under Ms. Hasham for the past seven months, described the incident as "extremely tragic." She wrote on a GoFundMe page: "I was lucky enough to know her for a short time. She was a beautiful and loving mother to four boys, a loving wife, and the sole owner of her business. For the past five years, she has worked hard to serve the community. She was passionate about animal welfare and an all-around amazing person taken too soon."

NSW Ambulance spokesman David Kingston said last night that another woman, also in her 40s, had been taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Kingston stated, "The two women were sitting approximately six meters from a large tree when it was struck by lightning, causing the tree to explode and debris to fly everywhere. This is a rare... traumatic and tragic event for the families involved, and very confronting for emergency services." Kingston also indicated that young children witnessed the event.

The tragedy occurred after a severe weather warning for "very dangerous thunderstorms" was issued for parts of the state, forecasting heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and destructive winds. Following the Bureau of Meteorology's weather warning, the State Emergency Service requested residents of High Range, Robertson, Colo Vale, Hill Top, and Bowral to "stay indoors" as the storm passed. The system affected Nattai National Park, Yerranderie, and the Nattai Tablelands before moving northeast, impacting areas west of Oakdale, the western areas of Wollondilly Shire, and west of Picton.