Family devastated by death of 'beautiful' woman in lightning strike

The distraught cousin of a “beautiful” young woman who died in a freak lightning strike accident has broken down in tears speaking about her “magical life”.

Lauren Brownlee, aged in her 20s, had just finished dinner on Friday after a day at work when she and her new boyfriend, Ben Hallow, decided to go for a drive to a popular lookout at Chirnside Park, in Melbourne’s north-east.

The pair, who worked together at a Croydon real estate agency, were standing between their vehicle and a large tree when they were struck.

Mr Hallow immediately went into cardiac arrest, while Ms Brownlee complained of having lost sensation in her legs.

They were both transported to The Alfred Hospital but despite the work of doctors Ms Brownlee later died.

Mr Hallow has undergone leg surgery and is still in a serious condition.

“She just had the biggest heart of gold,” Ms Brownlee’s cousin, Ayla, told 9NEWS fighting through tears.

“She just always saw the best in everyone and everything.

“She had the wittiest personality.

“She just had this awe about her, no matter what she would put a smile on her face.

“There was no one who could ever say anything bad about her.”

Ms Brownlee had spent five years in the real estate industry and was described by Stockdale & Leggo in Croydon has the “heart and soul” of the team.

She enjoyed photography, music, art, loved playing video games and was an avid animal lover.

The family have set-up a fundraising page to help Ms Brownlee’s father raise enough money to give her an “amazing celebration of life”.

“We’re just hoping to help my uncle ease a little bit,” Ayla said.

“We have to bring Lauren home.

“We just want to give her the most amazing ceremony and celebration of her life we could possibly give her.”

Thunder and more than 15,000 lightning strikes cracked across Melbourne skies on Friday during the intense storm.