NELSPRUIT – The victim of the recent elephant attack in the Kruger National Park (KNP), Ms Sarah Brooks, was discharged from hospital on Monday. According to Ms Robyn Baard from Mediclinic Nelspruit, she was in a stable condition.
Brooks and her companion, Mr Jans de Klerk (originally from Pretoria) both live in the UK. It is unknown whether they have returned home.
They were attacked by the elephant while driving in the southern part of the KNP along the N’waswitshaka Waterhole, south of the Phabeni tar road on December 30.
They spotted the bull, following it at what they thought was a safe distance, while taking videos. It suddenly turned and marched towards the vehicle. The couple decided to remain stationery but realised they had to move when it started charging the vehicle.
The bull attacked the vehicle, flipping it over for about twenty metres into thick bush. After it lodged against a tree, the elephant continued attacking it for some time before it walked away.
Eye-witnesses reported that the attack was so savage they didn’t think the occupants were still alive. They were afraid to approach the vehicle, in case the elephant returned. They instead rushed to Skukuza to report the incident. A passing motorist assisted the victims some 25 minutes later.
The couple was airlifted to Skukuza, where park doctors administered emergency treatment. De Klerk was in shock and suffered minor injuries, while Brooks’ upper thigh had been ripped open by one of the elephant’s tusks. They were airlifted to Mediclinic Nelspruit, where Brooks was admitted.
Rangers went to look for the elephant, fearing it would attack again and managed to isolate it from visitors. It was then shot dead.
Upon inspection rangers discovered that it was in musth, which explained its high levels of aggression. It had also been wounded previously, presumably during a fight with another bull over territory, which added to its aggression.
Watch the video from Lee Bothma Photography here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=742110985822701
Read the previous article here:
Elephant savagely attacks vehicle in KNP
