A mum trying to create school holiday magic has died in a devastating accident as her two children watched.
Charlotte Rose-Ann Hill, 38, was setting up a barbecue in her Sydney backyard to toast marshmallows.
Her 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter were nearby, warming themselves during a break from school, when their mother’s screams brought it all to a screeching halt.
“Luckily her children weren’t hurt because they were in the backyard at the time. They were so brave and so heroic in those moments,” Bianca Hill, Charlotte’s cousin, told news.com.au.
Charlotte burst into flames as her children looked on in horror and despair, trying to save her life.
“I’m actually really proud of the way they handled the situation, despite how traumatic it would have been for them,” Bianca told news.com.au.
“Her youngest daughter was screaming. She was screaming louder than she had ever screamed in her life to alert her father, who was getting ready to go to work.”
The courage of Charlotte’s son is worthy of immense admiration.
“(He) used his jacket to try to put out his mom’s fire,” Bianca said.
Their father was able to provide first aid and took her to the hospital.
Charlotte suffered serious burns to her face and hands.
Bianca was able to come and help transfer Charlotte to a mid-level hospital better equipped to treat her, while the children remained with their father.
“I actually jumped into the ambulance with her and she was in such agony,” the cousin recalled.
“Watching someone you love suffer like that… it seriously broke me.”
Even through the deep pain, Bianca remembers that she managed to make Charlotte laugh and maintain a good mood.
“This is the last time I was with my cousin. I’m glad I was there, but I’m sad that I was there,” she said.
Charlotte managed to survive the first operation, but, unfortunately, she did not get out of the crisis.
The family was hopeful that her condition was improving.
She was conscious, recovering well and talking to her children on the phone.
“I got the worst phone call you can get,” Bianca said.
Medical staff found Charlotte unresponsive and died from medical complications.
“We’ll never hear her laugh again,” Bianca said.
“We are so deeply heartbroken for her children.”
Her family was left to reflect on the wonderful life Charlotte led and the loving role she played as a mother.
“She broke hearts with her beautiful smile. Everywhere she went, people were just in awe of how amazing this girl was. Not just on the outside, but she was always such a generous and very kind person with the biggest heart,” Bianca said.
“She would do anything to make sure her kids had a good day. She would literally do anything to make sure they had a happy childhood.”
The loss is especially devastating because Charlotte witnessed her own mother’s death as a child.
“She just never wanted her children to have to go through the same traumatic pain that her loss brought her,” Bianca explained.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the absolute power of building a village for every mother, especially when she is taken from the lives of her children too early.
“It is important for all of us as a village to hold hands and support,” Bianca emphasized.
“Even if it’s not your child, but someone, you know, someone you know who’s been through something similar, just kindness is key to a lot of things, but especially for kids growing up.”
Bianca started a GoFundMe to support the children and their future, and the family is doing everything they can together to lift their spirits.
“It’s just so they can continue to get treatment, achieve their educational goals and just deal with it the best they can by getting as much help as possible,” she explained.
“It means so much that her children have a piece of Charlotte in them. We can continue that legacy for her, bringing them as much happiness and stability as we can from our position.”
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