A tourist from the United States was killed by a bull elephant last week during an African safari.
Gail Mattson, 79, died Saturday after being attacked at the Kafue National Park in Zambia. Mattson was one member of a six-person safari group that was participating in a game drive that day organized by safari company Wilderness.
“At around 09h30 on Saturday the six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant,” said Wilderness’ chief executive officer.
He continued, “Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough.”
Footage captured by a passenger riding aboard a safari truck shows the five-ton bull elephant chasing the group.
The truck was traveling 25 mph as the elephant ran full bore to keep pace. Eventually, due to a block in the road, the vehicle was forced to come to a halt and the elephant attacked.
