Caught on Camera–Safari-Goer Mauled to Death by Lion

A vacationing safari-goer was mauled to death by a lioness at Gauteng Lion Park in Johannesberg, South Africa on Monday.

The fatal moment was caught on camera by another tourist, Ben Govender, who said he reached for his camera to capture what he thought would be a memorable moment as a lioness came to the side of Katherine Chappell’s vehicle.

Govender retold the horrific moment to the Daily Mirror this week, saying he instead witnessed the beast lunge at Chappell, 29, and bite her shoulder.

The lioness then pushed into the vehicle and fatally attacked her.

“It was terrifying. After the first bite, the lioness retreated from the car with blood dripping from her mouth and paw,” Govender told the Mirror.

“We all thought she was done and didn’t like what she’d just bitten. But like someone with a temper that wasn’t satisfied in a fight, she leaped back into the car and mauled the passenger,” he continued.

According to Govender, park rangers came running and chased the two lions away, but it was too late to do anything to save her.

At first it just looked like an amazing shot of a lion stood up at the window,” he added. “The lion can only have had its head in that window for around 15 seconds. At that moment the tourist was face to face with one of the most ferocious, incredible, and magnificent animals. But then the lioness lunged and we saw the driver diving into the passenger seat and punching at the lioness.

The Telegraph reports Chappell’s death is the third attack in four months at the park, which advertises “super close-up views” of wildlife on its website.

Chappell worked as a video editor on movies and TV shows, including HBO’s Game of Thrones.