Tragic Encounter: British Teacher and Kiwi Cousin Fatally Attacked by Elephant on Zambia Safari

A tragic incident unfolded in Zambia where a retired British educator, along with her cousin, met a sudden and untimely end after being trampled by an elephant during a safari. This was the conclusion reached by the coroner investigating the case.

Janet Taylor Easton, 67, who was also known as Janice, along with her cousin Alison Taylor, also 67 and hailing from New Zealand, lost their lives in South Luangwa National Park on July 3 of last year. The shocking incident occurred in a matter of seconds, as detailed during the inquest.

Ms. Easton, a former chemistry teacher, had dedicated her career to educating young minds at Titus Salt School located in Baildon, Bradford, before retiring in August 2022. Her life took a tragic turn during what was meant to be a leisurely safari adventure.

Assistant coroner Caroline Chandler delivered her findings at Bradford Coroner’s Court. The inquest had been previously postponed pending a report from the Zambian Ministry of Tourism. However, as reported by the BBC, Ms. Chandler noted that the report did not provide substantial new insights, leading her to classify the deaths as resulting from misadventure.

However, the BBC reported, Ms Chandler said the report did not add much and concluded their deaths as misadventure.  

The inquest heard Ms Easton and her cousin had gone on a walking safari holiday to South Luangwa National Park, which had been organised by travel company Expert Africa. 

Ms Chandler said the women had planned to go on a guided walk to the Luangwa River, where they would cross by canoe and continue on an onward flight to a Bush camp.

The inquest was told the group were accompanied by a guide and followed by a tracker. 

Janet Taylor Easton, 67, was killed alongside her cousin Alison Taylor from New Zealand, also 67, in South Luangwa National Park on July 3 last year. Pictured: Alison Taylor

Safari guides who were with the group fired shots at the elephant in a desperate attempt to stop it from charging at the women (file photo)

Ms Chandler said the guide spotted a female elephant with a younger elephant, but the animals were in the distance and ‘appeared peaceful’.

‘The guide adjusted the walk so they were downwind and remained undetected,’ she said.

But what happened next occurred in ‘a matter of seconds,’ she said. 

‘The tracker saw the elephant charging from behind and shouted towards the scout, who fired a warning shot. The elephant did not stop. The elephant reached the group very quickly, and Janice fell.’

The inquest was told the cause of death was traumatic thoracic injuries and an elephant attack.

Recording her conclusion, Chandler said: ‘Janice was on a walking safari and went out with all intent and purpose on what she intended to be a lovely excursion that day. She certainly didn’t anticipate that it would end in the way that it very sadly did.’

The elephant was hit and wounded by the gunshots, but the guides were unable to prevent the attack, and both women died at the scene.

The pair of tourists had stayed for four days in the camp, and they were heading to another camp named Takwela Camp before the attack.

A local posted a tribute to the two women. ‘Near Big Lagoon Bush Camp, at sunrise, a walk meant to explore turned sorrowful when a nursing elephant, accompanied by her calf, charged out of instinct,’ they said.

‘Despite the presence of trained guides, the moment unfolded too swiftly.’

The pair ‘had spent four peaceful days immersed in nature’s embrace. Their journey was meant to continue – but instead, we remember them for their courage, their curiosity, and their love for life’s wild places’, they added.

According to the South Luangwa National Park website, the region’s concentration of animals is one of the densest in all of Africa.

Female elephants are very protective of their calves and can respond aggressively to what they perceive as threats.