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Wife's tribute to elephant victim | Wife's tribute to elephant victim |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The wife of a British tourist killed by an elephant while on honeymoon in Kenya, has paid tribute to her "wonderful husband". | The wife of a British tourist killed by an elephant while on honeymoon in Kenya, has paid tribute to her "wonderful husband". |
Patrick Smith, 34, from London, was trampled to death in the Masai Mara game reserve on Sunday while on a nature trail with his wife Julie. | Patrick Smith, 34, from London, was trampled to death in the Masai Mara game reserve on Sunday while on a nature trail with his wife Julie. |
The couple had been married for just a week when the tragedy happened. | The couple had been married for just a week when the tragedy happened. |
Mrs Smith, who was not injured in the stampede, described her husband as "loving, generous, humorous". | Mrs Smith, who was not injured in the stampede, described her husband as "loving, generous, humorous". |
In a statement she said: "On Sunday 1st October Paddy Smith was killed in a tragic incident involving a group of elephants while we were on honeymoon in Kenya. | In a statement she said: "On Sunday 1st October Paddy Smith was killed in a tragic incident involving a group of elephants while we were on honeymoon in Kenya. |
"We were married only on 23rd September." | "We were married only on 23rd September." |
'Tragic accident' | 'Tragic accident' |
She continued: "Paddy was loving, generous, humorous, and a wonderful husband. He was also a devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend to many, many people. | She continued: "Paddy was loving, generous, humorous, and a wonderful husband. He was also a devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend to many, many people. |
"His tragic early death will leave a huge gap in all our lives." | "His tragic early death will leave a huge gap in all our lives." |
Mrs Smith also requested that the media leave the family in peace to allow them to grieve. | Mrs Smith also requested that the media leave the family in peace to allow them to grieve. |
The incident occurred during an early morning walking safari the couple had taken along with a guide, when the small group of elephants they were observing was startled. | The incident occurred during an early morning walking safari the couple had taken along with a guide, when the small group of elephants they were observing was startled. |
Jake Grieves-Cook, chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, said he did not know what had startled the animals. | Jake Grieves-Cook, chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, said he did not know what had startled the animals. |
"They [the couple] were downwind and thought they were a safe distance. Elephants have very poor eyesight so this was not an attack. It was a tragic accident," he said. | "They [the couple] were downwind and thought they were a safe distance. Elephants have very poor eyesight so this was not an attack. It was a tragic accident," he said. |
Mr Smith worked in the IT department at international media group Reuters, where Mrs Smith also works. | |
A Reuters spokesman said: "Clearly it is a very tragic situation, we are sending our condolences to the family, we are trying to help them practically as best we can." | |
On Monday, a spokeswoman for the Kenya Wildlife Service, Connie Maina, said efforts were being made to track the elephant. | On Monday, a spokeswoman for the Kenya Wildlife Service, Connie Maina, said efforts were being made to track the elephant. |
She said the incident took place a short distance from upmarket encampment Richard's Camp, where the couple were reported to have been staying. | She said the incident took place a short distance from upmarket encampment Richard's Camp, where the couple were reported to have been staying. |
In 2000, another Briton was trampled to death by an elephant in the Masai Mara reserve after he ventured out of a secure compound to take a photograph of it. | In 2000, another Briton was trampled to death by an elephant in the Masai Mara reserve after he ventured out of a secure compound to take a photograph of it. |
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