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Tuesday, 20 November, 2001, 08:25 GMT
UK woman trampled by elephant
Performing elephants in Thailand
The woman was riding an elephant at Phuket Zoo
A holidaymaker from the UK has been seriously injured after being trampled by an elephant at a Thai zoo.

British Embassy officials said Louise Fletcher was riding the elephant at Phuket Zoo when the beast suddenly decided to charge another animal.

Ms Fletcher, from St Andrews, Fife, was thrown to the ground and the elephant's foot came down on her leg.

The 26-year-old has been recovering in hospital in Phuket, where she is said to have undergone four skin grafts and had a steel pin placed in her leg.

Temple in Thailand
Ms Fletcher was on her first visit to Thailand

It is believed Ms Fletcher was on her first visit to the country, where her father was murdered on holiday last year.

It is also reported that an old school friend of Ms Fletcher died in tragic circumstances in Bangkok.

The burned body of Gordon Fletcher, who was on an extended break in the country, was found in woods near a temple in Pattaya. His killer has not been found.

Her school friend, oil worker Peter Black, also from Fife, died in July this year.

Ms Fletcher told reporters: "I should never have come here. This place has a terrible jinx for me. Not only was my dad murdered but a schoolmate also died there."

The British Embassy spokesman said Ms Fletcher was "making a good recovery" and was soon expected to fly back to Britain.

See also:

29 Jul 01 | Scotland
Scottish oil worker dies in Thailand
27 Jul 01 | Country profiles
Country profile: Thailand
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