A Swiss tourist was critically injured in the Kruger National Park on Sunday when a taxi collided with a giraffe. The giraffe was killed on impact and fell on top of a safari vehicle, carrying two Swiss nationals, which was following the taxi.
According to SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla, it appeared that the taxi could not avoid hitting the giraffe.
‘A kombi with 13 day-visitors on their way to Letaba was involved in an accident south of Mopani earlier today [Sunday]. Two occupants were treated for minor injuries and taken to hospital for observation’.
‘Indications are that a giraffe stepped into the road and the taxi could not avoid hitting it and the animal fell on top of a rental safari vehicle. The driver, a Swiss national, was seriously injured and the passenger suffered minor injuries. Medical personnel stabilised him at the scene before airlifting him to hospital,’ said Phaahla.
A combi with 13 day visitors on their way to Letaba, was involved in an accident south of Mopani earlier today.
Two occupants were treated for minor injuries and taken to hospital for observation. Indications are that a giraffe stepped into the road and /…— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) November 10, 2019
‘The driver of the vehicle was injured (and) is in a critical condition at the Nelspruit MediClinic after being stabilised from the scene. Two people from the taxi were treated for minor injuries.’
The Swiss driver was responding at the scene and his condition is stable. pic.twitter.com/tA0cRfQPBJ
— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) November 10, 2019
Police are investigating the incident.
