Cape Town - A 16-month-old baby girl died while her mother is in a critical condition in hospital following a giraffe attack at a private game lodge in Hluhluwe area, Kwa-Zulu Natal on Wednesday.
In a separate incident also on Wednesday a woman was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after a hippo attack in St Lucia, Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Netcare 911 responded to both incidents. They said in Hluhluwe, reports indicated that the mother and child who lived in the area, were attacked by an adult giraffe.
“The 16-month-old child was rushed through to a local doctor’s office where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
“When a team of operational paramedics arrived on scene, they found the 25-year-old mother in a critical condition.
“The mother was treated on scene, however due 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.
“Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the SAPS who were on scene,” Netcare 911 said.
In St Lucia at 6.30pm on Wednesday, reports were sent to emergency services of a hippo attack.
“Reports indicate that a mother, her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend were swimming in the resort pool when they were hit with load shedding.
“The three exited the pool in complete darkness, walking back to their accommodation, when they were confronted by an adult hippo and its baby.
“Upon noticing the hippo, the trio ran to escape the charging animal, unfortunately the 50-year-old female was caught where she was, bitten and trampled.
“The daughter and her boyfriend managed to escape.
“St Lucia NSRI station 19 with the START Rescue team were called to assist the wounded lady, who then notified authorities.”
“When a Netcare 911 operations team arrived on scene they found the woman in a critical condition.
“The lady, who’s condition was rapidly deteriorating was treated on scene by an emergency care practitioner.
“Due to the nature of the patient’s injuries and distance to an appropriate medical facility, the Netcare 911 Helicopter Air Ambulance was activated to fly the patient to hospital.
“Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the St Lucia SAPS.”
Cape Times