University dean 'trampled to death by elephant' on safari holiday in Tanzania

An American university dean has reportedly been trampled to death by an elephant while enjoying a luxury safari holiday in Tanzania.

Dr Thomas McAfee was a former dean at UC San Diego, and was enjoying a holiday ebefore taking up a new post as chief executive of the Keck Medicine of USC Medical Foundation in Los Angeles.

The UT San Diego reports that his sister, Skyli McAfee, confirmed the incident, saying: "He had an accidental encounter with an elephant."

The paper also reports that The Citizen, a newspaper and website in Dar es Salam, Tanzania, said that McAfee and two companions were "viewing game on foot when they stumbled upon a herd of about 50 elephants."

They reportedly ran from the herd, but McAfee "fell down and one of the elephants trampled on him," it said.

It is not clear whether Dr McAfee was on a guided tour.

Speaking to NBC San Diego, Mounir Soliman, assistant vice chancellor and executive director of Health Sciences International at UC San Diego, said: "It's a true tragedy and great loss to all of us at UCSD. We are planning several events in celebration of Dr. McAfee's life."

Leslie Ridgeway, director of media relations for Keck Medical Center of USC, released a statement on Sunday afternoon for Thomas Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of USC Health. According to the Daily Mail, it said: "We are devastated by this news.

"Tom was a dear friend of mine and a respected colleague. The world has lost a kind and talented individual far too soon."

The Daily Mail also reports the Dr McAfee was in the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania on holiday when the tragedy occurred.

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