Respected pharmacist electrocuted by downed power line in front of family

A respected pharmacist and father-of three has been killed by a fallen power line — as his horrified family watched, helpless.

A Sydney father, electrocuted as his helpless family and neighbours watched in horror, has been remembered as a “great humanitarian” by the charity he chaired.

Hossam Ibrahim died after stepping on a fallen 11,000-volt power line in his driveway in Acacia Avenue, Punchbowl at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Neighbour Karen Adler told the ABC a number of residents heard a “massive, loud bang” and went outside to find electricity wires had come down.

“We couldn’t do anything,” she told the outlet. “The boys were trying to throw things at the wire to try and get the wire off him but they couldn’t touch him, they couldn’t do anything.”

Emergency responders at the scene where the respected pharmacist was electrocuted. Picture: Steve Tyson

When emergency personnel arrived just minutes after the call, Dr Ibrahim was motionless.

But horrified family members and neighbours watched as the emergency crew waited at least 30 minutes before the power was turned off and they could reach his body.

A Fire & Rescue NSW spokesman told AAP the line was brought down by a lightning strike.

Dr Ibrahim, 38, also known as Hossameldin Mohamed Ibrahim, previously led the NSW Islamic Egyptian Society and was the incumbent chairman of charity Islamic Relief Australia.

“It is with shock, disbelief and great sadness, that the staff and volunteers of Islamic Relief Australia offer their condolences to the family and friends of our dear chairman,” the not-for-profit said in a statement.

“Words cannot express our sorrow, may your heart and soul find comfort.

“His generosity, humanitarian conviction and compassion inspired us all.”

The charity also tweeted, expressing sadness at his passing.

It is with shock and sadness that the staff & volunteers of Islamic Relief Australia offer condolences to the family & friends of our dear Chairman, Dr Hossam Ibrahim, upon his untimely passing. We mourn the passing of a great humanitarian & will honour his legacy in our work. pic.twitter.com/T6660lYH1t

— Islamic Relief AU (@IslamicReliefAu) January 6, 2019

The father-of-three had only weeks ago celebrated ending a challenging 2018 in which he attained a master’s degree in business administration and coached his son’s under-9s soccer team.

He’d hoped to begin a PhD in leadership in 2019, according to a post on his Facebook page.

“One of the politest people I’ve ever met in my life,” Eahab Arja posted online. “A quiet, humble man always with a smile on his face who worked tirelessly for the sake of Allah swt (sic). Always there for you.”

Dr Hossam Ibrahim has been remembered as a ‘humble man’.

It is unknown what caused the power lines to fall. Residents said lightning was seen in the area about 30 minutes earlier.

Sydney was lashed by more than 15,000 thunderstorms on Saturday night after a southerly change, with strong winds forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday along the Macquarie, Illawarra and Sydney coastlines.

— with AAP