Dangerous Game

Here is the PH report of what happened [even though it is rumored no-one gets hurt hunting with a PH], I have noticed several "deer/car" accident reports here in NA; however, IMHO somehow that just doesn't qualify:
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NUMBER ONE --- FOLLOW UP:

INCIDENT REPORT

CLIENTS NAME: Keith and Nikki Atkinson
PROFESSIONAL HUNTER: George Hallamore
DATE OF INCIDENT: Monday 14th June
AREA: Chirisa safari area

A Buffalo Bull was wounded by Mrs Atkinson on the 13th of June 2004 at approximately 8.30 am. Followed the blood trail throughout the day but never saw the buffalo, stopped following at 6.00pm. Resumed tracking at 6.00 am on the 14th of June on the Sengwa River. Tracking became very difficult spoor was not visible due to the terrain but there was a sporadic blood trail which we followed. We lost the blood trail when we came upon a very small opening with a large bush with lots of long grass. Two trackers went to the left of the bush while myself; one tracker and both Mr and Mrs Atkinson and the game scout went to the right of the bush to see if we could pick up a blood trail again.

The trackers on the left of the bush signalled to us that the Buffalo was lying in the bush. Literally as they signalled the buffalo came charging out and I had already started going towards them. I fired one shot when it was directly in front of me and another when it brushed passed me. I turned to fire a third shot and saw Mrs Atkinson in the air, I fired from behind the buffalo. The client was on the ground and the buffalo was now broadside ramming her with his head. I shot the buffalo again, Mr Atkinson fired a couple of shots and I reloaded my gun and fired a shot. The Buffalo fell on top of Mrs Atkinson, I shouted for everyone, the trackers came, the game scout came and we pulled the buffalo off her and it was still moving its head so I fired another shot into its head.

I then assessed Mrs Atkinson’s injuries, she was lying on her front, she was conscious, it looked like her wrist was broken and her collar bone and there was a hole in the back of her leg, about mid thigh. I sent a tracker back to the vehicle to radio the camp manager and tell him to radio the Harare office for MARS. Meanwhile I tore up the trackers overalls and bandaged the hole in Mrs Atkinson’s thigh and made a splint for her wrist. I also made a splint for her leg, as I was not sure if it was broken. We cut down two small trees and used them and the tarpaulin to make a stretcher. The tracker that was sent to radio the manager was not able to cross the river so he had to go around. He arrived at the same time as the camp manager, who had brought a mattress and a duvet; this was about 45 minutes after the accident.

By this time she was delirious, we moved her to the vehicle and left for the airstrip. We travelled slowly as the roads are bad and arrived at 11 am the Mars plane arrived approximately 15 minutes later. They took over and left about 2 hours later.

This whole incident took place within a space of seven paces and was extremely quick.

SIGNED:
George Hallamore