Australia Weather News

A woman has died and another remains in a serious condition after a lightning strike hit a tree south of Sydney.

Emergency services were called to a home on Old Razorback Road in Cawdor following reports two people were hit by fragments of a tree.

A woman in her 40s was treated at the scene, however, she could not be revived.

A second woman, also aged in her 40s, was treated by paramedics and taken to Liverpool Hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

Inspector David Kynaston from NSW Ambulance described the woman's death as a "freak incident".

"The women were sat 6 metres from a large tree, and this has been struck by a lightning bolt, which literally caused the tree to explode, sending debris all over the place," he said.

"A very traumatic and tragic incident for the family involved but also very confronting for emergency services."

Inspector Kynaston said the incident was witnessed by young children.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.