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By Murray Wardrop
The Telegraph - UK
31 Oct 2009
A British safari guide was killed yesterday after he was charged by an elephant during filming of a BBC children's programme in Tanzania.
Anton Turner, 38, described as an expert with elephants, was escorting a television crew through a remote mountainous area of the African country when the animal ran at him.
Mr Turner, a former British Army officer, suffered massive injuries and died at the scene, despite efforts to save him by a doctor, who was travelling with the party.
Three children, who were in the group, escaped unhurt.
Mr Turner leaves behind his fiancée, who is pregnant with their first child.
The accident happened at 10.20am during filming of an episode of the CBBC series Serious Explorers, which traces the footsteps of explorer David Livingstone in Africa.
Mr Turner had taken the crew to an area known as the Mburika Mountains, situated in the 21,000-square-mile Selous game reserve, which is not known as a habitat for elephants.
Mr Turner's best friend Ryan Wienand, who co-founded the wildlife reserve with him in Tanzania, said he was "numbed" by the news.
Mr Wienand, who was not with him at the time, 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 fiancée, who is absolutely devastated.
"Anton was an incredible person, who took conservation to the fore and put people first. He really looked after the community and had a passion for Africa.
"Anton was the most experienced person I have ever known when it comes to elephants, he had an expert knowledge of their behaviour.
"So for him to die in this way is a complete freak event. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him."
Mr Turner's family, including his fiancée who was visiting relatives in Britain at the time of his death, have been informed.
A BBC spokesman said: "Anton was an extremely experienced expedition safari and wildlife ranger and former Army officer who had worked with the BBC in the past.
"We understand at this stage that he was charged by an elephant and was mortally injured. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Anton's family and friends."
The corporation has arranged to fly the children home to Britain and has launched an investigation into the incident.
Mr Turner served in the first Gulf War before moving to Tanzania to become a game hunter. He later established the Selous ecotourism reserve, which takes groups on safaris to photograph wildlife.
Rest in Peace Turner!
The Telegraph - UK
31 Oct 2009
A British safari guide was killed yesterday after he was charged by an elephant during filming of a BBC children's programme in Tanzania.
Anton Turner, 38, described as an expert with elephants, was escorting a television crew through a remote mountainous area of the African country when the animal ran at him.
Mr Turner, a former British Army officer, suffered massive injuries and died at the scene, despite efforts to save him by a doctor, who was travelling with the party.
Three children, who were in the group, escaped unhurt.
Mr Turner leaves behind his fiancée, who is pregnant with their first child.
The accident happened at 10.20am during filming of an episode of the CBBC series Serious Explorers, which traces the footsteps of explorer David Livingstone in Africa.
Mr Turner had taken the crew to an area known as the Mburika Mountains, situated in the 21,000-square-mile Selous game reserve, which is not known as a habitat for elephants.
Mr Turner's best friend Ryan Wienand, who co-founded the wildlife reserve with him in Tanzania, said he was "numbed" by the news.
Mr Wienand, who was not with him at the time, 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 fiancée, who is absolutely devastated.
"Anton was an incredible person, who took conservation to the fore and put people first. He really looked after the community and had a passion for Africa.
"Anton was the most experienced person I have ever known when it comes to elephants, he had an expert knowledge of their behaviour.
"So for him to die in this way is a complete freak event. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him."
Mr Turner's family, including his fiancée who was visiting relatives in Britain at the time of his death, have been informed.
A BBC spokesman said: "Anton was an extremely experienced expedition safari and wildlife ranger and former Army officer who had worked with the BBC in the past.
"We understand at this stage that he was charged by an elephant and was mortally injured. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Anton's family and friends."
The corporation has arranged to fly the children home to Britain and has launched an investigation into the incident.
Mr Turner served in the first Gulf War before moving to Tanzania to become a game hunter. He later established the Selous ecotourism reserve, which takes groups on safaris to photograph wildlife.
Rest in Peace Turner!
