A CIRCUS worker, who was possibly trodden on and killed by an elephant on the state's North Coast, had suffered a minor heart attack three weeks before he died.
December 2007
News of Ray Williams' medical problems were revealed yesterday as the possibility emerged that the 57-year-old's crush injuries were caused by the elephant, Arna, trying to nudge him awake after his heart stopped.
Mr Williams spent the past two to three years caring for Arna and her friend Gigi at the Stardust Circus.
The police and WorkCover investigation into his death continued yesterday but the circus has already been reprimanded for a lack of safe handling procedures for its animals in general.
WorkCover confirmed it had issued an ``improvement notice'' yesterday for the company to review its safe handling practices.
The circus convoy arrived in Yamba on Thursday morning, setting up for the first of its shows in the holiday mecca, which went ahead last night despite the death.
Mr Williams was found dead in the elephant enclosure just before 5pm with Arna standing over him.
His heart had stopped and he had crush injuries to his back.
Police hope an autopsy will reveal what killed him, with the results expected today.
However, new details emerged yesterday that Mr Williams visited Lismore Base Hospital three weeks ago where he had been diagnosed as having had a minor heart attack.
The report to the Coroner is also expected to highlight that he was a heavy smoker and had previously been a heavy drinker.
Stardust owner Jan Lennon said Mr Williams was a pensioner who, in the later stages of his life, decided to run away and join the circus.
"He was an old pensioner who just loved the lifestyle so we gave him a caravan to live in and he fed and watered the elephants,'' she said.____________________________________________________________________
Attention Ben Trumble or Steve Robinson. What do you think?: News of Ray Williams' medical problems were revealed yesterday as the possibility emerged that the 57-year-old's crush injuries were caused by the elephant, Arna, trying to nudge him awake after his heart stopped.
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2 comments:
It's not unheard of. Even tigers try to help their family members in the States!
Steve,
But only in show biz, where they are like family. I have often wondered how an animal like an elephant, who can be so graceful one moment, waltzing and getting on tubs, can all of a sudden be so clumsy and klutzy that they fall on folks. Damn, can't they fall where there aren't any people?
Wade
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