Tourist trampled to death by elephant near Kruger National Park's Malelane Gate
SANParks has not released much detail of the incident, but the man was reportedly trying to get his grandchildren to safety when the elephant charged.
Elephant in the Kruger National Park. Wikimedia Commons/Dario Crespi
A tourist was trampled to death by an elephant at the Kruger National Park on Saturday, South African National Parks has confirmed.
A SANParks statement said the man was charged by the animal near Crocodile River at Malelane Gate.
Officials rushed to the scene 'to attend to the matter and support the family'.
While SANParks has not yet made any further details available, it's reported that the 59-year old was trying to get his grandchildren to safety when the elephant charged.
'It's alleged that the man's grandchildren were taking pictures next to the bridge when he saw the elephant approaching', a police insider told News24.
SANParks appealed to the public to refrain from sharing pictures and videos of the incident on social media, due to the sensitivity of the incident.
It said additional details would be released in due course.
'No matter how many times people are warned, we still try to get close (to wild animals)' commented one social media user.
'From what I understand they weren't trying to get close. It happened at the bridge just before the entrance gate. Elephant came out of nowhere', wrote another in response.
SANParks Board and Management extended their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.