Tragic and quite frankly stunning news to report, an American tourist has been killed on safari in Africa by a Charging Elephant.

While the tourist group was in a truck on safari, w wild bull elephant charged at the group of tourists and a guide in the Jungle of Zambia.

Incredibly, video taken by one of the tourists (who filmed the whole thing right to the end) survived and captured the moment the 5-ton elephant charged at the vehicle — flipping it over several times.

The six tourists were doing a Safari with the group Wilderness Zambia, and were out on a photography tour when they suddenly came under attack by the elephant.

Incredibly, the elephant suddenly started sprinting at 25mph to catch up with and overtake the tourist truck.

Who knew elephants could move that fast?   But they can.  For short bursts.

It is unclear what upset the elephant to cause it to charge.

Collin Rugg reports:

NEW: American tourist killed after an enraged bull elephant attacks a safari truck in the Kafue National Park in Africa.

The elephant reportedly separated from the herd to chase the vehicle traveling about 25 mph.

The elephant caught up to the vehicle and charged, flipping the truck over.

According to Wilderness Chief Executive Officer Keith Vincent, 4 people had minor injuries, one person had serious injuries and an 80 year old American was killed.

Vincent said the driver of the truck slowed down because the path became blocked with vegetation.

Backup video here:

The NY Post had more details:

Distressing footage captured by a passenger shows the elephant barreling toward the vehicle as it cruises along a bush-lined road before suddenly stopping when its path was blocked.

The passenger continues to record as the animal lunges at the vehicle and flips it over.

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The elderly woman later died of her injuries while another woman remains hospitalized.

The other four guests were treated for minor injuries after the violent attack.

“Our guides are all extremely well-trained and experienced, but sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” Vincent said.

Kafue National Park’s management sent a helicopter to the scene to evacuate the victims.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died. We are also, naturally, supporting those guests and the guide involved in this distressing incident,” Vincent added.

The group was reportedly staying at the luxurious Lufupa Camp in the Kafue National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa.

African Parks, which manages the park, also controls 22 other wildlife sanctuaries in Africa.

The woman has now been identified as 79-year old Gail Mattson and her son says she would not want people to blame the elephant:

NEW: Son of the American citizen who was killed by an elephant in Africa defends the elephant, says his mom would have defended the elephant too.

Interesting.

Blake Vetter told the Daily Mail that his mother, 79-year-old Gail Mattson knew what she was getting into and would have defended the driver and the elephant.

“She was really looking forward to this one and she also knew there were risks and that any time something could happen,” Vetter said to the Daily Mail.

“People want to blame the elephant and the driver, it’s awful how people don’t know what’s going on…”

“The elephant was being an elephant. My mom would be the first to defend the driver and the elephant.”

The attack happened in Kafue National Park. 6 others were injured.

This is not the first time elephants have been recorded charging in the wild…

Watch this:

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.

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