A Giraffe crushed killed an award winning movie director while he tried to get a close up shot of the animal. Carlos Carvalho, 47 was working on a feature film with Gerald the Giraffe when it suddenly swung its neck and headbutted him, sending him 16ft into the air.
The blow left him with devastating injuries and he was airlifted away from the safari park in Broederstroom, South Africa, on Wednesday, UK Metro reports.
But surgeons were unable to save the movie diedctor and he died in hospital.
Drikus Van Der Merwe, who was part of the filming crew, said he was stood next to Carlos when he was attacked. Drikus Van Der Merwe, who was part of the filming crew, said he was stood next to Carlos when he was attacked.
He started chasing the boom swinger who joined our unit,’ he said. ‘The giraffe followed him but we didn’t feel threatened because he just seemed to be inquisitive. ‘We started shooting close ups 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.’
He added that Carlos’s body lay on the ground until medical help arrived. He said: ‘I could see he was unconscious,’ he said. ‘There was blood coming out of his eyes and ears so I knew he had a severe head trauma. But I never thought he would die.
Out of all the wild animals we have filmed I can’t believe a giraffe killed Carlos. I suppose we get so used to filming animals that we become desensitised in a way.’
The owner of Glen Afric Country Lodge Richard Brooker yesterday told how he was killed. He said:
‘Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swung its head at Carlos. It was a terrible accident and we are heartrbroken. ‘Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong’ Mr Brooker added.
