Enraged bull elephant kills US tourist on safari in Zambia

An eighty-year-old woman has died after an enraged bull elephant chased and attacked the vehicle she was travelling in during a safari in Zambia.

The woman was with five other tourists on a game drive in Kafue National Park on Saturday when the elephant charged the vehicle.

Video posted to social media captured the terrifying incident, showing the elephant running to keep up before the game ranger suddenly stops the vehicle and the elephant charges, using its giant tusks to flip it onto its roof.

One of the tourists can be heard saying “oh, my goodness” as the elephant runs to keep up with the vehicle, while another says “it’s coming fast” just before it rams the vehicle.

The driver calls out “hey hey hey hey hey” loudly to try to stop the elephant charge but the attack continues as people panic and shout in fear.

It is believed the guests on the truck were all Americans and staying at the Lufupa River Camp in the national park.

The identity of the elderly woman who was killed in the incident has not yet been confirmed.

People have taken to safari forums to debate why the vehicle stopped, with speculation the driver may have run out of road.

“When you are being chased by a 5-ton elephant and you are in a safari truck with big bull bars trust me you simply never run out of road,” one person wrote.

Safari operator Wilderness Destinations confirmed the death of the 80-year-old tourist. Another female guest who was also injured was taken to a private medical facility in South Africa while the other four guests received treatment for minor injuries.

“Trauma counselling has been provided to all involved,” Keith Vincent, Wilderness chief executive officer said.

“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 says Kafue National Park management was immediately called to assist and that they dispatched a helicopter to the scene.

Police, the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, and other authorities are investigating.

“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.”

Elephants kill an estimated 500 people a year in Africa.