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Elephant injures British couple UK couple hurt in elephant fall
(40 minutes later)
A British couple suffered multiple injuries after falling from an elephant during a safari in South Africa.A British couple suffered multiple injuries after falling from an elephant during a safari in South Africa.
The pair are expected to undergo surgery for leg and pelvic fractures following Thursday's accident. The pair, named as Michael and Lorna Denyard, are expected to undergo surgery for leg and pelvic fractures following Thursday's accident.
The couple, in their 30s, fell after finishing the elephant trek in an animal sanctuary outside Johannesburg.The couple, in their 30s, fell after finishing the elephant trek in an animal sanctuary outside Johannesburg.
A spokesman for emergency service ER24 said: "The elephant knelt down and for some reason the lady fell forward and also dragged her husband down." A spokesman for local emergency service ER24 said "the lady fell forward and also dragged her husband down".
He said it was normal for the elephant to let the couple climb down. He said it happened as the elephant knelt to let the couple climb down.
'Severe' fractures'Severe' fractures
The spokesman said: "Both landed on the ground and that is where they sustained most of their fractures." The spokesman, who said the elephant was following a "normal procedure" to lower the pair, said: "Both landed on the ground and that is where they sustained most of their fractures."
The couple were taken by ambulance to the Akasia Hospital, in Pretoria, where the woman is being treated for "quite severe" leg fractures.The couple were taken by ambulance to the Akasia Hospital, in Pretoria, where the woman is being treated for "quite severe" leg fractures.
Her husband is receiving treatment for pelvic injuries.Her husband is receiving treatment for pelvic injuries.
The spokesman said: "The injuries, if left unattended, would be life threatening but they are in a stabilising environment and are receiving all the necessary treatment."The spokesman said: "The injuries, if left unattended, would be life threatening but they are in a stabilising environment and are receiving all the necessary treatment."
The couple arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and embarked on the elephant safari on Thursday morning, according to the spokesman.The couple arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and embarked on the elephant safari on Thursday morning, according to the spokesman.
Their family have told about the accident, which happened as the pair were returning to base camp.Their family have told about the accident, which happened as the pair were returning to base camp.
The Foreign Office said it was "aware of the incident" and would be "on standby to provide consular assistance".The Foreign Office said it was "aware of the incident" and would be "on standby to provide consular assistance".