American woman killed by lion recorded her own grisly death

Police examine camera of tourist, 22, who was taking pictures seconds before animal pounced through her open car window

• The tourist was taking pictures out of the vehicle up until moment the lioness launched herself through the open window, say park officials
• U.S. tourist's camera, and the camera of other tourists, taken as evidence 
• It's the third big cat attack at the safari park, in Gauteng, in four months
• The park said they tell visitors to keep windows closed but are ignored 

By Jane Flanagan for MailOnline

Published: 2 June 2015 

An American tourist who was mauled to death by a lion took pictures of the cat who killed her just seconds before she pounced, it emerged today.

Police are examining the last haunting photographs taken by the woman as evidence that she had ignored warnings to keep her windows closed as she toured the South African safari park. Traumatised tourists who watched as the nine-year-old lioness killed the holidaymaker, 22, through an open window have also handed over pictures of the fatal attack.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 

Yellow police tape was put around the SUV where the young American tourist was mauled to death by a lion

Two families were driving only metres away from the car carrying the victim when she was attacked.  They told police that she was photographing the cat as it approached her vehicle, which was being driven by a local tour guide, 36.

Six adult witnesses, including two visitors from India, gave their own photographs of the attack and statements to police confirming that both front windows of the victim’s car were open throughout her visit to the 20-acre enclosure, where she was attacked.

Scott Simpson, operations manager at the Lion Park told MailOnline, 'The dead lady’s camera was taken by police as evidence, as she was photographing the lioness through an open window up until the moment the lion attacked the vehicle. 'According to eye witnesses, the lion was walking near the vehicle and the visitor was taking pictures through an open window. Witnesses say that both front windows were down the whole time they were in the enclosure. The other lions in the area watched from a distance throughout.'

A police van arrives at the Lion Park where an American tourist was killed by a lioness on June 1

Lion mauls American tourist to death in South African park

The tour guide, who is South African, is recovering in hospital with serious injuries to his arms after attempting to prise his client from the lion’s jaws. He is expected to be interviewed by police today. The tourist and the guide were taking a 'routine' drive through the 20-acre compound containing about a dozen big cats near Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.

Mr Simpson told MailOnline: 'The lion approached from the left of the vehicle, the passenger side and walked quite close to the car. 'The witnesses said they saw the guests taking pictures of the lion from a meter away, then the lion lunged at the car and bit the lady through the window.'   

Mr Simpson said park staff rushed to pull the lioness off the young woman and carried out CPR.  Paramedics were called but could do nothing to save her. 'When the paramedics were treating the lady she unfortunately passed away,' he said.

The U.S. Embassy this morning confirmed the young woman was an American citizen through its Twitter account. Out of respect for the privacy of the family, we will not be releasing the name or commenting any further,' they tweeted this morning, adding: 'Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased in this sad incident.'  

The woman was dragged out the window of the vehicle. Visitors to the park are strongly advised by staff to keep the windows closed (another van of tourists is pictured, not involved in the incident)

A rare white lion peers at a vehicle at the Lions Park near Johannesburg. The American woman's death was the third big cat attack in four months

The woman's death is the third big cat attack at the park in just four months. 

In March, an Australian tourist was injured by a lioness after going on safari with his car windows open.

Brendan Smith, from Perth, was left with deep flesh wounds after the big cat pounced through the window and bit his leg. Smith posted pictures of his injuries on Facebook which happened after he'd only been in South Africa for 36 hours. Two days later, a 13-year-old from a nearby slum was attacked by a cheetah while riding a bicycle through the grounds. 

In December 2013, a former South African franchise rugby player Brett Tucker and his family were attacked by a lion at the same park. Tucker's father reportedly suffered minor injuries.

Warning: The manager of the lion park said he doesn't understand why people leave their windows open despite warnings dotted around the compound (pictured)

Park employees said that their repeated warnings about the big cats were ignored by tourists trying to get better pictures on safari 

The park, which has been visited by celebrities including R'n'B singer John Legend and pop star Shakira in the past, has more than 85 lions, including rare white lions, and a variety of other animals, including giraffes and ostriches. According to its website, Lion Park guarantees 'super close-up animal views' but it does order visitors to keep their car windows shut.

The park has previously come under fire for allowing visitors to pet lion cubs. It was also accused of breeding lions for 'canned hunting', a charge that the park has refuted. The park offers tented accommodation and also hosts children's birthday parties.

A visitor to the Lion Park last year uploaded a video to YouTube of a lion opening a car door.

Mr Simpson said visitors to the park were warned not to leave their windows open to avoid attacks. He told ENCA: 'We make it so clear. We put signage up everywhere that people must keep their windows closed. 'We hand them a slip of paper when they enter the park, I really don't understand why people think its okay to leave windows open.

He added that the park takes safety seriously. 'We have signage up everywhere informing people to keep their windows closed. We hand out flyers as they are driving in reminding them to keep their windows closed. We really do everything we can to make sure that people know that,' he added.

The park boasts 'guaranteed super-close up views' of the animals on its website.

  

Lucky escape: Australian tourist Brendan Smith, from Perth, was left with deep flesh wounds after a lion pounced through the window and bit his leg at Gauteng Lion Park in March 

Brendan Smith, from Perth in Australia (pictured with an unidentified friend) had only been in South Africa for 36 hours when he was bitten by a lioness after leaving his window open on a safari

The U.S. Embassy confirmed a U.S. citizen had been killed but were revealing no further details, only that they were providing consular services. The lioness responsible for the attack has been identified and is being kept alone in a separate enclosure. There were no plans to destroy the animal.

Shocking moment Lion manages to open family's car door

Pop star Shakira pictured playing with a lion cub at Gauteng Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa 

John Legend and his model wife Chrissy Teigen have also visited the park which is popular with tourists

The deadly attack happened in Gauteng Lion Park, around an hour outside of Johannesburg in South Africa

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