On February 14, a leisurely afternoon stroll through Greenstone Wildlife Estate took a terrifying turn for Barberton Hi-Tech’s Sakkie Dednam and his wife, Yvonne, when they were attacked by a young male giraffe.
The couple, who are well-known and beloved in Barberton, Mpumalanga, were rushed to Kiaat Private Hospital with serious injuries. Fortunately, both Sakkie and Yvonne are currently in a stable condition.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Two Men Sentenced To 170 Years In Prison For Attempted Murder Of Police Officer
According to Frank Swanepoel of Hi-Tech Nelspruit, he received a distressing call from the couple’s son, Eduan, who informed him about the attack.
It appears that while taking their daily walk through the estate with their dogs, a young male giraffe suddenly charged at them, kicking and trampling them. The dogs managed to escape during the attack, but the Dednams were not as fortunate.
Eduan shared that his father was able to find shelter under a bush at some point during the attack, but his mother, Yvonne, sustained head injuries and a concussion. Doctors are currently attending to her, conducting scans and monitoring her condition. Sakkie suffered broken ribs.
The Hi-Tech team expressed shock and concern upon learning about the incident. They are providing full support to the Dednams and are committed to assisting them in any way possible during their recovery.
Gerhard Bessenger, the vice chairperson of the board of Greenstone Wildlife Estate, confirmed the unfortunate incident and expressed his prayers for the Dednams’ well-being. He also cautioned other residents to exercise caution around the giraffes.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Arrested With Rifles, Handguns And 273 Rounds Of Ammo
The estate is still awaiting further information regarding the extent of the injuries and the details of the attack. Jan Oberholzer and his team from the provincial emergency medical services, along with Hi-Tech’s medical services, responded swiftly to the call for help, and their prompt response was greatly appreciated.
As the Dednams continue their recovery, the community of Barberton stands united in support and hopes for their full and speedy recuperation.
