On June 1, Katherine Chappell, 29 —a renowned visual effects editor for the series Game of Thrones —was killed by a lion. Chappell was visiting Johannesburg's Lion Park, during a volunteer mission to protect African wildlife, Variety reports. In addition to the hit series, she is also known for her work on Captain America: Winter Solider, Godzilla, and Into the Heart of the Sea — Ron Howard's latest project.
Chappell was taking pictures of a nine-year-old lioness, who was less than four feet away from the vehicle, when the animal lunged through the open window, and bit her in the neck. She died from the fatal wounds before paramedics arrived. According to Scott Simpson, assistant operations manager at the Lion Park, she was not following the park's protocol. "They had their windows all the way down, which is strictly against policy. The lion bit the lady through the window," he said. Her devastating death came as shock to friends, family and colleagues. Chappell's sister Jennifer shared a tribute to her on Facebook saying, "Katie was a brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited woman. Her energy and passion could not be contained by mere continents or oceans. She was very much loved and shared her love for life with those she met." (Variety)
Chappell was taking pictures of a nine-year-old lioness, who was less than four feet away from the vehicle, when the animal lunged through the open window, and bit her in the neck. She died from the fatal wounds before paramedics arrived. According to Scott Simpson, assistant operations manager at the Lion Park, she was not following the park's protocol. "They had their windows all the way down, which is strictly against policy. The lion bit the lady through the window," he said. Her devastating death came as shock to friends, family and colleagues. Chappell's sister Jennifer shared a tribute to her on Facebook saying, "Katie was a brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited woman. Her energy and passion could not be contained by mere continents or oceans. She was very much loved and shared her love for life with those she met." (Variety)
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