![A mother and son were attacked by a giraffe at the Blyde Wildlife Estate in South Africa. [Image @marcjohnson0002/Twitter]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/9/7/660x290/b_502x220x82/a-mother-and-son-were-attacked-by-a-giraffe-at-the-blyde-wildlife-estate-in-south-africa-image-marcjohnson0002twitter_2090705.jpg "A mother and son were attacked by a giraffe at the Blyde Wildlife Estate in South Africa. [Image @marcjohnson0002/Twitter]")
A giraffe attack incident happened on Monday, when Katy Williams, 35, and her three-year-old son, Finn, were 150 meters away from their home in the Blyde Wildlife Estate in Hoedspruit, near Kruger National Park. The giraffe, accompanied by her two-month-old calf, trampled the pair. It seems they surprised her and her calf, leading to the female giraffe feeling threatened.
It is being termed “an unfortunate act of nature” by husband Sam Williams. Both Katy and Finn are currently in a hospital. Both are stable, but in a critical condition after undergoing operations.
Katy is a US citizen, while her husband, Sam, is a 36-year-old British scientist. Both have post-PhD experience in animal-related fields and are working in the wildlife reserve.
Giraffe attack leaves woman and son in hospital
Sam came across the incident while returning from his evening run. He managed to chase away the giraffe, but not before the attack had caused serious injuries to his family. Herald Online quotes Hannes Meiring of ER24 as saying both Katy and Finn received medical treatment at the scene from ER24 paramedics after Hoedspruit Medical Rescue arrived at the scene of the attack and assessed both patients. They were then airlifted in two separate helicopters to the Busamed Modderfontein Hospital in Johannesburg.
Absolutely horrific 😮 https://t.co/26rZNqp5Qk
— Metro (@MetroUK) September 6, 2018
The three-year-old boy required an operation to relieve pressure on the brain, while Katy received operations for a variety of injuries caused by the giraffe trampling them in the attack.
Giraffe was protecting her calf in the incident
Riaan Cilliers, the manager in charge of the Blyde Wildlife Estate, went on to say they are all still in shock over the very sad incident, adding that the whole Williams family is in their prayers.
Cilliers confirmed the giraffe was accompanied by her two-month-old calf, which very likely influenced her attack on the woman and child, as she was trying to protect her calf.
Sam Williams, 36, chased the animal off after he arrived home to find the attack under way https://t.co/joShLcMn8y
— The Times of London (@thetimes) September 7, 2018
Staying positive, taking things a day at a time
As reported by the Independent, the family released a statement to say they are planning to stay positive and take things a day at a time.
The Williams’ lawyer, Marina Botha, confirmed that Sam understands nature and animals, and as far as information on the attack goes, he believes the giraffe attack was a distressing and unfortunate “act of nature.” Sam Williams asked for privacy during what is a very difficult time for the family.
