Vacationer from Minnesota who was killed by an elephant in Zambia was an adventurer, household says

MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) — Members of the family described an American vacationer who was killed in Africa when a bull elephant charged the truck she was driving in as an adventurer who liked to journey.

They recognized her as Gail Mattson, 79, of Minnetonka, Minnesota. She was with different vacationers on a recreation drive in a Zambian nationwide park when the animal charged, flipping over the automobile and killing her, a safari firm mentioned Thursday. The assault additionally injured 5 others on March 30 in Kafue National Park, which at 8,600 sq. miles (22,400 sq. kilometers) is considered one of Africa’s largest animal reserves.

“Sadly she misplaced her life in a tragic accident whereas on her dream journey,” her daughter, Rona Wells, mentioned in a Fb put up.

Her son, Blake Vetter, instructed the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that “that is greater than about just a little previous girl that acquired killed by an elephant. She lived a unprecedented life” whereas elevating two kids by herself.

Based on the safari firm Wilderness, the “aggressive” bull elephant unexpectedly charged on the truck, which was carrying six visitors and a information on a morning tour via wild areas.

Vetter instructed the newspaper his mom liked journey journeys to China and different locations. She was a mortgage firm mortgage officer earlier than she retired at 55. She cut up her time between the Minneapolis and Phoenix areas and golfed three to 4 instances every week, he mentioned.

“We had been going to skydive when she acquired again,” Vetter mentioned.

Whereas many wildlife parks in southern Africa teem with harmful animals like elephants and lions, it is uncommon for such a charging assault to happen.

Keith Vincent, CEO of the safari firm, mentioned the terrain made it unimaginable for the automobile to get away.

“Our guides are all extraordinarily nicely skilled and skilled, however sadly on this occasion the terrain and vegetation was such that the information’s route grew to become blocked and he couldn’t transfer the automobile out of hurt’s means rapidly sufficient” he mentioned.