Woman pulled from car and killed by lion
The Lion Park, just outside Johannesburg, has confirmed a woman has been killed after she was pulled from her car by a lion this afternoon.
Initial reports suggested the woman was an American tourist. The woman was killed at the Lion Park after a lion managed to get through an open car window, while a passenger was injured during the incident.
According to Scott Simpson, the operations manager at the park, the woman, believed to be in her 40s died at the scene after emergency services arrived, Fourways Review reported.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and tried to resuscitate the woman, however, their attempts proved futile.
The lion from the park has been locked up in an enclosure following the incident.
Simpson added: “This is not a common occurrence. We have plenty of signage at the park, indicating that windows should always be closed while driving in the lion park. Brochures are handed out to all of the tourists who visit the park”.
In March, Australian tourist Brendan Smith had to be rushed to hospital after he was bitten by a lion at the Lion Park. Simpson said Smith had been driving through the park with his friend. The two visitors stopped and got out of the vehicle to take a picture.
A lioness then stuck its head through an open window of the car and bit Smith on his left leg. Smith was immediately rushed to Fourways Life Hospital to have his injuries treated. Smith later shared his experience on Facebook, saying: “Pretty full-on but am alive, with insurance coming to the party and an influx of curious Africans wanting to see the lion man.”
Video footage uploaded on YouTube last year by Joshua Sutherland showed a lion opening a car door.
“Did you know lions could open car doors? My sisters were visiting our parents, while serving a mission in South Africa, and had an experience of a lifetime,” said Sutherland.
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on fourwaysreview.co.za
