An elderly Irishman John Somers took a friend for a relaxing holiday to the Pilansberg Game Reserve in Johannesburg to celebrate his 66th birthday, but it was one party he will never forget in his life. As the wildlife enthusiast drove along a dusty road they found themselves in the path of a five-tonne bull elephant, who charged towards them.
At first the massive elephant, named Amarula, went trunk-to-trunk with the grey car, before resting his weight right down on top of it. The boisterous elephant then flipped the vehicle over into a ditch like a toy car as the terrified occupants hung on for dear life. Luckily the elephant eventually got bored and the pair escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.
The full sequence of bizarre events was captured by photographer Riaan van Wyk, who was watching from a safe distance.
