This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29136755
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hope Elephants co-founder James Laurita killed by elephant | Hope Elephants co-founder James Laurita killed by elephant |
(34 minutes later) | |
The co-founder of a home for retired circus elephants in the US state of Maine has died after one of the animals stepped on him, police have said. | The co-founder of a home for retired circus elephants in the US state of Maine has died after one of the animals stepped on him, police have said. |
Vet James Laurita, 56, had fallen at the barn of Hope Elephants. Officials ruled his death an accident. | |
He established the home with his brother in 2011, decades after he worked as an elephant handler at a travelling circus. | He established the home with his brother in 2011, decades after he worked as an elephant handler at a travelling circus. |
Hope Elephants' board said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss. | Hope Elephants' board said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss. |
"Jim's passion for all animals, but especially elephants, was boundless," they said in a statement in which they asked for privacy for his family. | "Jim's passion for all animals, but especially elephants, was boundless," they said in a statement in which they asked for privacy for his family. |
Laurita also worked with elephants at the Bronx Zoo and at Wildlife Safari in Oregon, according to the Portland Press-Herald newspaper. | Laurita also worked with elephants at the Bronx Zoo and at Wildlife Safari in Oregon, according to the Portland Press-Herald newspaper. |
On Tuesday, Maine officials found Laurita unresponsive at the facility, 87 miles (140km) north-east of Portland. | On Tuesday, Maine officials found Laurita unresponsive at the facility, 87 miles (140km) north-east of Portland. |
He had apparently fallen and struck his head on a concrete floor before an elephant stepped on his chest. | He had apparently fallen and struck his head on a concrete floor before an elephant stepped on his chest. |
"The elephant was not aggressive in any way. It was clearly an accident," said Mark Belserene, of the Maine state medical examiner's office. | "The elephant was not aggressive in any way. It was clearly an accident," said Mark Belserene, of the Maine state medical examiner's office. |
Mr Belserene added Laurita's official cause of death was "asphyxiation and multiple fractures caused by compression of the chest". | Mr Belserene added Laurita's official cause of death was "asphyxiation and multiple fractures caused by compression of the chest". |
Previous version
1
Next version