Twin Cities woman killed by elephant on African safari

A Twin Cities woman on a safari in Zambia was killed when an elephant charged the vehicle she was riding in, according to the organizer of the expedition.

Gail V. Mattson, 79, of Minnetonka was on a game drive in Kafue National Park about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, when a bull elephant struck the open-air vehicle occupied by six guests and a guide, the Africa-based company, Wilderness, said in a statement.

"The vehicle was unexpectedly charged by the bull elephant," Wilderness CEO Keith Vincent said in the statement. "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."

https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-woman-79-killed-by-charging-elephant-on-african-safari/600356340/