A Scottish tourist has been trampled to death by an elephant in Thailand.
Gareth Crowe, who is originally from Islay off the Argyll coast, and his teenage daughter were thrown by the animal after it turned on its handler during a trek yesterday afternoon.
The 36-year-old died after the elephant trampled on him and stabbed him in the torso with its tusk.
Daughter Eilidh Hughes, 16, escaped with minor injuries but remained in hospital last night.
Local reports say the pair were on a guided tour of the tropical island when the male elephant, called Golf, attacked.
Witnesses said their guide had climbed down to photograph the pair as they sat on the animal, but Golf had appeared upset and was refusing to follow instructions.
They said that as the animal was prodded several times with a hook, it attacked the tour guide before goring him in the chest and rearing on its hind legs.
Mr Crowe and Eilidh were thrown from the elephant’s back.
Eilidh was initially treated at Samui International Hospital before being moved to Bangkok International Hospital on the island.
A hospital spokeswoman confirmed that the teenager is being treated there for minor injuries.
Last night, Mr Crowe’s partner, Catherine Hughes, spoke from the Bangkok Hospital where her daughter is recovering.
Eilidh’s brother, believed to be called Mark, is also with his family on the holiday island.
“My head’s all over the place,” said Ms Hughes, 42.
“We were all here on holiday. My son and I didn’t go on the elephants. I’ve been given no information as to what happened or how it happened.
“Eilidh is OK but I don’t know exactly what happened.”
The family are originally from Islay but are believed to have moved to the Scottish mainland around two years ago.
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are offering support to the family of a British national who has sadly died following an incident in Koh Samui, Thailand, and are making contact with the local authorities to seek further information.”
The charity World Animal Protection said thoughts were with Mr Crowe’s loved ones but the incident was a “stark reminder” that elephants are not meant to be ridden.
A spokeswoman said: “Elephants are cruelly abused to tame them enough so they give rides and perform in shows.
“Most tourists don’t know about these abuses, or the potential danger they put themselves in.
“If you can ride it, hug it or have a selfie with a wild animal, then the chances are it is cruel and the animal is suffering.”