A Spanish tourist was horribly crushed to death in front of his screaming fiancée by an angry herd of elephants after he got out of his car to take photographs in a South African game reserve.
The four visitors were driving through Pilanesberg National Park, near the world-famous Sun City resort, when they spotted a breeding herd with three calves by a lake.
Despite warnings from his three fellow passengers to get back in the car, the 43-year-old tourist, who said he wanted to take close-ups of the six elephants, got out and walked towards them.
A huge 3.5-ton adult cow that was protecting the younger members of the herd became frightened and attacked the man, and was joined by the other two adult bulls who also attacked.
The screaming Spaniard ran back with his camera through the bushes to safety where his friends were in the car, but was caught by the pursuing pack, knocked down and trampled to death.
Witnesses said all that remained after the 30-second attack was the tourist’s tattered, blood-soaked clothing and the remains of his body crushed into the ground.
The four visitors were driving through Pilanesberg National Park, near the world-famous Sun City resort, when they spotted a breeding herd with three calves by a lake.
A huge 3.5-ton adult cow that was protecting the younger members of the herd became frightened and attacked the man, and was joined by the other two adult bulls who also attacked.
The dead man is understood to have been on holiday in Spain with his fiancée and was with two of his South African friends from Johannesburg when the tragedy occurred on Sunday morning.
A spokesman for the North West Parks and Tourism Board said: ‘The elephants immediately moved away from the scene without harming nearby vehicles and disappeared into the bush.
‘The guest was a Spanish citizen who had entered through the Bakgatia Gate with three friends and not far from the gate he had come across a herd of breeding elephants feeding at some distance from the road.
According to eyewitnesses, the man decided to get out of the vehicle and approach the elephants on foot to take photographs.
‘Despite warnings from his fellow passengers and the occupants of two other vehicles who were at the scene of the sighting, he unfortunately failed to heed the warnings.
‘An adult elephant attacked the man, who then ran away from the elephant.
“Unfortunately, he was unable to escape or evade the elephant, which was joined by the entire herd. He was caught and trampled to death.
‘Park officials were alerted and immediately responded to the scene to assist those affected, secure the scene and assist with the investigation.
Witness accounts from witnesses who witnessed the entire incident further suggest that the elephant that attacked may have done so to protect her herd and calves.
“The case has been handed over to police for further investigation,” said Pieter Nel, acting Conservation Director for the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
She also stressed that all tourists are warned not to leave their vehicles and that the information is printed on their entrance tickets, which is not only for the safety of the guests but also for the animals.
Mr Nel added: “The Board is deeply saddened by this tragic accident and would like to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
A park ranger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “It was a very stupid thing to do and they literally shouted at the tourist to get back in his car, but he wanted to take pictures of the herd.
“He had gone too far off the road to be able to get back to his car in time when he struck. His friends were hysterical and needed immediate help from an expert.
‘There was not much left to identify. The victim had been trampled. Sadly, despite all the warnings, people still come out to take pictures, but most are lucky enough to get away with it.
“The pack was not at fault and behaved completely normally when it felt that its cubs were in danger. In fact, they passed right next to the car in which their three friends were travelling when they left,” he said.
A female elephant can be over 3.3 metres tall at the shoulders, weigh up to 4 tonnes and run at speeds of up to 40 km/h. Male elephants can weigh two tonnes more and measure up to 4 metres at the shoulders.
An elephant is seen lifting a tourist vehicle in Pilanesberg National Park
North West police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “According to information received, the man was with his fiancée and two other women in his own vehicle.”
‘They allegedly saw three elephants and three calves. Reports suggest the man stopped the vehicle, got out and approached the elephants to take photographs.
The elephants allegedly attacked and killed him. The victim’s companions were unharmed. The victim is from Spain. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances.
A female elephant can be over 3.3 metres tall at the shoulders, weigh up to 4 tonnes and run at speeds of up to 40 km/h. Male elephants can weigh two tonnes more and measure up to 4 metres at the shoulders.
Pilanesberg National Park is located on 320 square miles in North West Province, 100 miles from Johannesburg, within an ancient volcanic crater, and is home to the Big Five: elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and lions.
In March, a 79-year-old American tourist, Gail Mattson, was killed in Zambia’s Kafue National Park when the safari vehicle she was travelling in was hit by a bull elephant and overturned.
And in South Africa, in February and March, two rangers, David Kandela, 36, and Philani Sibiya, 33, died in separate incidents after being trampled by elephants while carrying out their duties.