An elderly American tourist tragically lost her life after an "aggressive" bull elephant attacked a vehicle during a game drive at Kafue National Park in Zambia, the safari operator confirmed. The incident occurred on Saturday morning and resulted in several injuries to other individuals in the vehicle.

According to Wilderness, the company operating the safari, the 80-year-old woman was injured during the unexpected attack and was subsequently transferred to a hospital in South Africa for treatment. Sadly, she later succumbed to her injuries. Four other passengers in the vehicle also suffered minor injuries during the incident.

The safari guide's vehicle had been "blocked" by the terrain at the time of the attack, preventing a quick escape. Keith Vincent, Wilderness' CEO, expressed his condolences and explained that the guides on the safari are highly trained and experienced. However, the challenging terrain and vegetation hindered their ability to avoid the aggressive elephant.

Following the attack, Kafue National Park management was immediately notified and dispatched a helicopter to the scene. Local authorities, including the police and Zambia's Department of National Parks & Wildlife, are now actively investigating the incident. Wilderness is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Efforts are underway to repatriate the remains of the deceased tourist back to her family in the United States. Support has been provided by both local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka.

This is not the first incident of an elephant attack at a national park. Last month in South Africa's Pilanesberg National Park, a similar incident occurred where a bull elephant lifted a safari truck multiple times before letting it drop. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in that incident.

Eyewitness and bystander, Hendry Blom, who captured the incident in South Africa on camera, expressed concern and fear for the individuals in the truck, stating, "We were definitely scared, especially for the people in the truck because we thought they might die."

The loss of life in this tragic event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the need for caution and adherence to safety protocols while enjoying the beauty of nature.