Lion attack tour operator suffering from post-traumatic stress
LANSERIA - The tour operator who tried to help his client, Katherine Chappell during a fatal lion attack at The Lion Park on 1 June is reportedly under psychological strain.
News 24 reported that tour operator, Pierre Potgieter (66) was discharged from hospital but is suffering from post-traumatic stress.
Potgieter had been driving the vehicle while Chappell (29), who was special effects editor, was taking photos of lions at the The Lion Park on 1 June when a lioness attacked Chappell through the open passenger window and fatally wounded her.
In the days following the lion attack, Potgeiter alleged that he had suffered a minor heart attack while trying to rescue Chappell. He further alleged that The Lion Park employees had been reluctant to assist him with trying to reduce the bleeding from Chappell’s wounds following the attack.
According to Potgieter’s wife he is taking anxiety medication to calm him down and allow him to sleep.
“He gets flashbacks of the incident,” Potgieter’s wife said. “He can’t watch anything on TV with blood in it.”
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