Woman trampled to death by elephant
A woman's desperate failed bid to escape an elephant charge resulted in her tragic death
TRAGEDY struck on Tuesday morning when an employee at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve was trampled to death by an elephant.
Police said Thembisile Msimango Mnchunu (47) of Ngwelezane was walking in the Hilltop area with three male colleagues at about 10am, surveying indigenous plants, when they were charged by four elephants.
‘They ran away, taking different directions,’ said SAPS spokesperson Capt Jabulane Mdletshe.
‘The deceased, Thembisile failed to outrun the elephant, which caught up with her and stepped on top of her, fatally crushing her.
‘The three male co-workers managed to escape unhurt.’
Distraught EKZN CEO Dr David Mabunda expressed his utmost sympathies to the victim’s next of kin.
‘Our condolences go to the family of our late colleague.
‘I cannot imagine the pain of losing a loved one in this manner.
‘The incident reminds us of how unpredictable and dangerous our animals can be.
‘We request all those who have been touched by this horrible accident to lift up the family of the deceased in their prayers.’
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