The son of an American tourist killed by an elephant on a safari in Zambia has said he does not blame the animal or the driver for the tragedy.
Gail Mattson, 79, from Minnesota, died while traveling with a friend and four others on a game drive in the Kafue National Park on Saturday.
Her son Blake Vetter told DailyMail.com on Thursday that while some seem to be questioning the driver’s action, his mom was aware of the risks and would not put any blame him or the beast that killed her.
‘She was really looking forward to this one and she also knew there were risks and that any time something could happen,’ Vetter told DailyMail.com.
‘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.’
Mattson was an avid adventurer since retiring at the age of 55, and traveled to Africa with a friend, pictured center left, who was also injured in the attack
Mattson’s family shared the above photo of her traveling group
Video captured the shocking moment the elephant attacked the American tourist in Zambia
Vetter shared that his family is still working to bring Mattson’s remains back to the US, as red tape in the African country has been difficult to circumvent.
Mattson, a grandmother of one, was an avid adventurer since retiring at the age of 55, and traveled to Africa with a friend, who was also injured in the attack but has since safely returned to the US.
Video of the incident shows the vehicle stopped as the elephant lounged at the vehicle’s passengers, but Vetter believes the driver did exactly what he was supposed to.
‘The driver stopped because if he kept going they were gonna get injured, he was very professional – when he hollered at the elephant, most times they do run away.’
Mattson’s family shared heartbreaking pictures from the day she was killed, which show her holding a flower inside the safari vehicle.
Her loved ones said she was ‘living life,’ that day, as reported by KSTP. The mother-of-two lived between Minnesota and Arizona, and told friends the safari would be ‘her last big adventure.’
Minnesota resident Gail Mattson, 79, died in an elephant attack during a safari in Zambia on Saturday. Her son told DailyMail.com she knew the risks involved in the activity
Minnesota resident Gail Mattson, 79, died in the attack while travelling with five other tourists on a game drive in the Kafue National Park on Saturday
Her friend John Longabauth added: ‘Because her birthday is in the summer — I think she was going to be 80, and she felt like she would start slowing down.
‘To be honest, I don’t know if she’d slow down or not. But at least you wouldn’t be traveling as far, probably.’
Mattson’s daughter Rona Wells shared images of her African trip on Facebook alongside a tribute.
She wrote: ‘We would like to share some amazing pictures of our wonderful Mom’s trip to South Africa with her friends and family.
‘Sadly she lost her life in a tragic accident while on her dream adventure. I hope these pictures bring some happiness to those that loved her. RIP Mom. We love you and will miss you.’
Horrifying footage captured the moment the massive elephant charged at the vehicle the tourists were traveling on.
The vehicle was attacked and rolled when the enraged five-ton animal, apparently separated from its herd, ran flat out to catch up with the vehicle thought to be travelling 25mph – before the driver abruptly stopped.
Video shows how a tourist says ‘oh my goodness’ as the elephant keeps pace with the car, as another says ‘oh oh’ and a third adds ‘it’s coming fast’ in the last desperate moments before collision.
The game ranger suddenly stops the vehicle before the elephant swings right and attacks the safari truck, prompting speculation from wide shots they had run out of road. The driver calls out ‘hey hey hey hey hey’ loudly when he realizes it is not a mock charge and the five ton elephant standing 10 foot tall is intent on a deadly attack.
The tourists can be heard panicking and screaming while they continue to film the the deadly encounter as the elephant hooks his three-foot tusks under the bodywork of the truck and flips it onto its side before the recording cuts out.
It is believed the guests on the truck were all Americans and staying at the Lufupa River Camp in the Kafue National Park which is the oldest and second largest safari park in the world.
The tented camp charges £350 per person per night.
Wilderness Chief Executive Officer Keith Vincent confirmed that one American guest aged 80 was killed, another was seriously injured and four other tourists had minor injuries.
Vincent said the seriously injured guest was flown to a private medical facility in South Africa and the four others were treated at a clinic and trauma counselling provided.
He said: ‘At around 09h30 on Saturday the six guests were on the game drive when the vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant.
The five-ton elephant was seen charging on the vehicle at the Zambian nature park
An American tourist was confirmed to have died in the wake of the attack
‘Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced but sadly the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked.
‘He could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough’ adding that the Kafue National Park management immediately gave assistance’.
He said they dispatched a helicopter to the scene and given the nature of the incident, the Police, the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, and other authorities are involved in investigating the matter.
Wilderness is a leading conservation and hospitality company that welcomes guests to many African counties to help conserve iconic wilderness areas.
It currently helps conserve six million acres of land over 8 African countries.
Vincent added: ‘This is an extremely 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. The deceased will be repatriated to the USA’
The Kafue National Park is the size of Wales set in 22,000 sq km’s and is home to African Big 5 of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros.
It is believed the guests on the truck were all Americans and staying at the Lufupa River Camp (pictured)
The elephant was able to keep up with the truck before lunging into it
Elephants kill an estimated 500 people a year in Africa. In March, a 36-year-old guide at Gondwana Private Game Reserve in South Africa was also killed by an elephant.
Daniel Kandela died after encountering the last elephant in the herd, separated from its group.
A statement issued at the time read: ‘His untimely passing leaves a void within the Gondwana family, as David was not only a colleague but also a source of warmth and expertise among his peers.
‘Our hearts and thoughts remain with David’s family and friends during this immensely difficult time. Gondwana pledges to support all those affected by this tragic incident.’