Swiss Tourist dies After a Giraffe Falls Onto His Vehicle in Kruger National Park
3 min readA much-looked-forward-to holiday turned into a tragedy for Roland Koller, a swiss tourist, traveling with his partner in Africa. In a freak accident that occurred on Nov.10, a giraffe fell onto the roof of his hired vehicle. crushing him inside.
The giraffe fell onto the safari vehicle Koller was driving on November 10, in the South of the Mopani area of The Kruger National Park.
According to SANParks, the giraffe appeared to have unexpectedly walked into the road when it was hit by a taxi carrying 13 passengers. The impact of the giraffe on Mr. Koller’s rented’s vehicle crushed the roof. Koller was seriously injured and had to be airlifted by helicopter after being given emergency treatment by paramedics on site.
Four people were injured. The giraffe died on impact.
Connie Oosthuizen came across the accident described the scene as “truly unbelievable”.
She told TimesLIVE, “A small group of people was tending to him. We were told that the minibus had collided with a giraffe, which had then been thrown into the path of the oncoming camper. The giraffe was stone dead — a mercy, in my opinion. It had either been thrown or had staggered down the bank behind the camper, where it now lay.”
Oosthuizen was approached by a man at the scene who asked her if she had first aid equipment.
“Sadly, we had nothing more than everyday items, Elastoplast and so on. He explained that his daughter, who was trained in first aid, was doing what she could, but lacked the necessary equipment.”
Image: Connie Oosthuizen
Oosthuizen said, “There was no cellphone reception to call for help. “The injured man was in bad shape. The cab roof had been crushed. Miraculously, the woman who we took to be his wife seemed unhurt, but in shock.”
Mr. Roland Kollersadly died in Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, 3 days after the accident.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said authorities will be laying a charge of culpable homicide against the driver of the minibus.
“The minibus driver was hospitalized but we learned that he has since been discharged. The case will be investigated and then be taken in for a decision. He will most probably appear in court.”
SANParks spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said: “We are not commenting on any aspect out of respect for the family.
