A MUM-OF-FOUR has tragically been killed by an "exploding" tree following a lightning strike. Rosanna Hashem, 43, was fatally hit the day before her 44th birthday as she was stood with a friend in her garden in the south-west of Sydney, Australia. The "beautiful mother" was pierced by wood shrapnel when the lightning strike caused a tree to explode near where she had been sitting and tragically died at the scene.
![[Woman holding a Maine Coon cat.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image_c25f96.png?strip=all&w=677)
Her friend was rushed to hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Jemma Powell, a colleague of Rosanna, described the incident as "really tragic". She said: "I 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.".
She added that Rosanna had been sitting on the veranda of her home when she was struck by flying debris. Rosanna owned The Groomery Sydney, which she ran from her home. The business said on Facebook: "It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of Rosanna's passing following an unexpected accident.". It's set to remain closed until further notice. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online.
