In Memoriam - Anton Turner Safari Guide Killed by Charging Elephant in Tanzania

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Anton Turner Safari Guide Killed by Charging Elephant in Tanzania
by Ryan Kisiel


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Anton Charles Turner 1971 - 2009
After his death a homepage for Anton Turner was established: www.antoncturner.com

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A Safari guide who was working on a BBC children's television programme was killed after an elephant charged and trampled over him on October 30th.

Anton Turner, 38, was assisting the filming of the CBBC series 'Serious Explorers' which is retracing the footsteps of legendary explorer David Livingstone in Tanzania, Africa.

Mr Turner, a Brit who is a former Army officer and experienced safari ranger, was seriously injured after the elephant attacked him.

The crew were filming in the Selous Game Reserve - Tanzania's largest safari park - when he was trampled.

A doctor travelling with the expedition treated him, but he died soon after the rampage.

Three children who had been picked by the BBC to travel with the party were present during the fatal charge but both were unhurt.
Mr Turner was due to become a father, a friend said today.

Ryan Wienand, who set up a wildlife reserve in Tanzania with him, said he was 'numbed' by the news.

He told the Daily Telegraph: 'We don't yet know exactly what happened but I got a call this morning saying that Anton had been hit by an elephant and had died.

'It's a huge shock and we are all very upset because it such a great loss. He had a pregnant fiancee, who is absolutely devastated.'

British High Commission spokesman John Bradshaw said: 'We have been providing consular assistance today and trying to help out as much we can.
'There were children involved in the filming, though whether they witnessed what happened is unclear.

'Some of the details of what happened remain hazy. What we can say for certain is that all of the children are now safe.'

Mr Bradshaw said the show's main presenter Ben Major visited the High Commission offices with a senior producer after arriving in Tanzania earlier this month.

He added: 'We were aware they were over here filming. They came in and met the High Commissioner, and we discussed their plans.

'At that stage there was a lot of optimism about the project.

'I believe they were supposed to be in Tanzania for around four weeks, but have only been filming for two or three so far.'

Selous Game Reserve is the largest national park in Africa and covers more than 21,000 square miles.

In addition to a significant elephant population, it is also home to all of Africa's Big Five species as well as hundreds of other birds and mammals.
The park is located around 160 miles to the south of Dar es Salaam, a journey which takes around four hours on a four wheel-drive vehicle.

The BBC has immediately launched an investigation after airlifting the children out the area. Another four children who were in the country joined them and were due to return home later today.

Last night, a spokesman for the corporation said filming of the series had stopped and they had informed Mr Turner's family.

He added: 'We understand at this stage that he was charged by an elephant and was mortally injured.

'Three children were with the filming party at the time of the accident and are all safe.

'Their safety remains a priority, and all the children have been airlifted from the area. We are also consulting their parents and production of the programme has ceased.

'Four other children who were also in Tanzania in connection with the programme will also return home.

'Anton's relatives have been informed and the BBC is arranging for them to fly to Africa as soon as possible. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Anton's family and friends.

'Anton was an extremely experienced expedition safari and wildlife ranger and former Army officer who had worked with the BBC in the past.
'As is usual with a serious accident an immediate and thorough BBC investigation into the circumstances of this incident has already begun.'



Source: MailOnline
 

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