South African media are reporting the death of an American woman at a lion park in Johannesburg, and the US Embassy says it has received reports of an "incident" involving an American citizen at the private park. The embassy says it has no information but will follow up to "provide any assistance possible." EWN, a South African news outlet, cites park officials as saying a tourist died in a lion attack at the Lion Park, a popular destination for tourists who can drive in their own vehicles through large enclosures where lions roam freely.
EWN reports the woman was in a vehicle driving through the park with its windows open, against park rules. A lioness reportedly jumped through the window, biting the female passenger. The male driver was reportedly seriously injured trying to free the woman from the animal's grip. "There was a car driving to the lion camp and the lion came through the window and it bit the tourist," a park rep says. "The ambulance arrived quite soon but the lady has passed away." (More lion stories.)