South African filmmaker killed by giraffe
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 12:24 PM - A South African filmmaker is dead after suffering a "fatal run-in with a giraffe on set," northwest of Johannesburg according to filming agency CallaCrew.
Carlos Carvalho, 47, had been working on a shoot for the British TV show Wild at Heart at the Glen Afric safari lodge May 2 when the giraffe swung its neck and knocked him over.
He was flown to a Johannesburg hospital but died of his injuries that night.
Lodge owner Richard Brooker told reporters the giraffe, whose name is Gerald, would not be put down because he isn't considered dangerous, according to the Telegraph.
“When Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swung its head at Carlos,” he said via the news outlet.
“Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong."
VIDEO: TENSE MOMENT ON A FAMILY SAFARI
CARVALHO 'UNAWARE OF THE DANGER'
Some media reports suggest Carvalho was attempting to get a close up shot when the incident occurred.
Film crew member Drikus Van Der Merwe told the Sun they didn't feel threatened by the giraffe because he "just seemed to be inquisitive."
“We started shooting closeups of its body and its feet. Then while Carlos was looking through the camera eyepiece Gerald swung his neck and hit him against his head.
“It came out of nowhere and Carlos didn’t even see it coming. He wasn’t aware of the danger."
Van Der Merwe added he didn't think Carvalho would diet, although it was apparent he had suffered severe head trauma.
A spokesperson for Glen Afric suggested that Carvalho had ignored safety instructions and “gone off on his own”.
