Lightning Cracks Old Gum Tree

Occurred on October 28, 2021 / Mannum, South Australia, Australia

Info from Licensor: "In the clip are my husband Tim in the little truck and my employee and best friend Sharlee arriving at work during a particularly rare wild storm. 5 seconds later the nearby 80-year-old gumtree was struck by lightning. Sharlee was still in her car and in her rear view mirror saw a huge orange flash and saw the tree exploding with the sound of a bomb. (The poor girl suffered delayed shock later that day). The exit point of the strike was at the base of the tree and blew a hole in the ground and spat out gravel up to 10m away. Pieces of the tree were found 60m away. The shed in the background is a mechanics workshop and everything on that wall flew off and the staff there saw a bright purple flash. I hope the tree survives. I have known it all my life and it would be devastating to see it go"