A 25-YEAR-OLD woman is in critical condition in hospital after she and her year-old toddler were trampled by a giraffe.

The incident occurred yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at a private game park in Hluhluwe.

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According to KZN SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, the child was rushed to the nearest doctor’s rooms where she died, while the mother was transported to hospital.

Netcare 911 paramedics treated the injured woman on scene.

“When a team of operational paramedics arrived on scene, they found the 25-year-old mother in a critical condition,” said Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst.

“The mother was treated on scene, however, owing to the nature of the patient’s injuries and distance to an appropriate hospital, a decision was made to activate the Netcare 911 Helicopter Air Ambulance to fly the patient to a specialist facility.”

It is understood that the woman is a tour guide working on the property and was on foot when she encountered the giraffe and its calf.

Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the SAPS who were on scene.

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