Top lawyer suing a Zambian Safari camp for over $500,000 (£300,000)

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Caroline Pratte, is suing the safari company and also her guide Samuel Grace, right, who was general manager of the lodge at the time and who led the fateful foot safari in October 2011
Caroline Pratte, is suing the safari company and also her guide Samuel Grace, right, who was general manager of the lodge at the time and who led the fateful foot safari in October 2011

A top lawyer who says she was attacked and gored by a rampaging elephant on a foot safari in Africa is suing the safari firm and her guide for more than £300,000 in compensation.

  • Caroline Pratte said she was ‘attacked’ while safari at Lion Camp lodge
  • She said she had abdominal injuries and multiple fractures in October 2011
  • Partner Andrew Ness says he suffered ‘psychological injury’ witnessing it
  • Couple also suing British safari guide Samuel Grace who led the safari

 

 

A general file photo of a walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park. The couple, who live in Monte Carlo, are seeking compensation in excess of £300,000
A general file photo of a walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park. The couple, who live in Monte Carlo, are seeking compensation in excess of £300,000

Caroline Pratte says she suffered abdominal wounds and multiple fractures when she was ‘attacked’ on holiday at the exclusive Lion Camp lodge, in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, in October 2011.

The businesswoman’s partner Andrew Ness who saw the attack but was not physically hurt, says he suffered ‘psychological injury’ due to the trauma of witnessing Ms Pratte’s ordeal, and is also seeking damages.

 

She and Mr Ness, who have a son and run a charity for sick children alongside successful businesses, are also suing the companies that run Lion Camp.

 

The luxury lodge, which lies in Zambia’s second largest national park, provides high-end safari holidays for up to 18 guests, who pay up to £400-a-night to sleep in four poster beds and eat overlooking plains teaming with wildlife.

 

In a writ lodged at London’s High Court, lawyers for the couple say Ms Pratte was under the ‘care, supervision and direction’ of Mr Grace, or his employers, when she was attacked by the elephant on October 23 2011.

 

‘Ms Pratte suffered the attack and Mr Ness witnessed it whilst on a walking safari with their family, that was led by Mr Grace, the general manager of the safari lodge,’ the document states.

 

The couple’s lawyers allege Lion Camp is ‘directly liable for the injuries loss and damage they sustained by reason of their own breaches of duty in relation to their safety or are vicariously liable for the acts and omissions of Mr Grace.’

 

The writ does not specify the total amount of damages claimed by the couple but confirms that they seek compensation ‘in excess of £300,000.’

 

Safari guide Mr Grace, of Ealing, West London, was born in the UK but spent much of his childhood in South Africa, before returning to Britain to study for a degree in geography at the University of Wales.

 

He was the manager of Lion Camp for nine years, but has settled in London since Ms Pratte’s accident.

 

He currently works for an international safari company whose English offices are based in Dorking, Surrey.

 

The defence of Mr Grace and the companies to the action were not available from the court.

 

The allegations contained in the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2659205/Top-lawyer-suing-300-000-compensation-attacked-gored-rampaging-elephant-Zambian-foot-safari.html#ixzz34tg0RRAv
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6 COMMENTS

  1. what did they expect when they went out on that safari to meet a rat.it is a safari walk any thin can happen some fake tourists.

  2. thats what lions do! u dont expect em just to watch u!!its a risk you took,and its one thing you didnt take into consideration!

  3. What a shame that some silly tourists think that they can get away with it. I hope they are banned from all safari lodges around the world.

  4. Dah….Elephants charge. Perhaps tourists went out alone or didn’t follow safety regulations.

  5. shared…Hope camp made her sign the doucment that they are not responsible for accidents…

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