Elephant kills visitor at Kruger Park

An elephant trampled and killed a South African who was trying to protect his grandchildren from the charging animal at the famous Kruger Park, authorities said Sunday.

The 59-year-old man was killed at one of the busiest gates into the vast park in the east of South Africa, police said.

The man had been trying to get to safety two of his grandchildren, aged five and 11, who were charged by the elephant as they were taking pictures and video of the animal that was inside the park, according to a police statement.

As the children ran from the elephant, they fell. The animal attacked the 11-year-old boy with its trunk, it said.

"It was during this time when the grandfather went to assist ... when the elephant turned and trampled on him before it left them and returned into the Kruger national park premises," SANParks, said.

A presumed poacher was killed by elephants in 2021 in the same park. AFP