A New Jersey man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippopotamus attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the US company that arranged the trip, alleging it failed to ensure their safety and did not adequately screen and supervise the tour guides.
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Craig and Lisa Manders were on a guided walk in Zambia in June when a hippo charged out of the water, grabbed Lisa Manders by its mouth and crushed her head and body with its bite, according to the lawsuit filed against African Portfolio, a safari tour company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The company denies the lawsuit’s allegations.
The lawsuit, filed on February 5 in Stamford, Connecticut, alleges that as a horrified Craig Manders watched the attack, the tour guides – including at least one armed with a rifle – walked away without helping the couple. Lisa Manders, 70, suffered catastrophic injuries and died shortly after, the lawsuit says.
“We’re doing this because this should never have happened,” said Paul Slager, a lawyer who is representing Craig Manders with his law partner, Nicole Coates.
“There are basic safety standards that businesses are expected to follow, and that includes people in the safari tour industry. And those were not followed, and the consequences here were absolutely devastating.”
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Slager said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages that have not yet been determined, as well as accountability for Lisa Manders’ death and keeping others safe in the future. He said Craig Manders was not giving interviews.