Janet Easton, 68, was fatally trampled by an elephant at South Luangwa National Park on July 3, alongside New Zealand tourist Alison Taylor, 67, while enjoying an African safari

The death of a British tourist who was trampled by elephants while on safari in Africa has been recorded as misadventure following an inquest.

Janet Taylor Easton, 67, originally from Bradford, was on safari in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park on 3 July last year with her cousin Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, when the incident occurred. Tour guides desperately tried to save them but were unable to deter the animals.

Janet, also known as Janice, taught chemistry at Titus Salt School in Baildon, Bradford, from September 1983 until retiring in August 2022. She had been spending time travelling during her retirement, visiting the likes of New Zealand, Canada, and Brazil.

The inquest heard how Janet and her cousin had gone on a walking safari holiday to South Luangwa National Park, which had been organised by travel company Expert Africa.

On the day of her death, she had been on a guided walk and the pair left the camp early to attend a safety briefing.

Assistant coroner Caroline Chandler said: "The plan was a guided walk on foot to the Luangwa River where they would cross by canoe and continue on an onward flight to a Bush camp."

The group had been accompanied by a guide, also referred to as a scout, and followed by a tracker who guides tourists through African wilderness. During the inquest, Chandler said the guide saw a female elephant with a younger, sub-adult elephant that was in the distance and "appeared peaceful".

"The guide adjusted the walk so they were down wind and remained undetected," she said. "What happened next is described as happening in a matter of seconds.

"The tracker saw the elephant charging from behind and shouted towards the scout who fired a warning shot. The elephant did not stop. The elephant reached the group very quickly and Janice fell."

The cause of death was confirmed as traumatic thoracic injuries and elephant attack. Recording her conclusion, Chandler said: "Janice was on a walking safari and went out with all intent and purposes on what she intended to be a lovely excursion that day.

"She certainly didn't anticipate that it would end in the way that it very sadly did."

Addressing Easton's brother William Easton, who tended via a video link, she said: "You still have a lot of unanswered questions and I hope you get to the bottom of those so you and the rest of the family can have some closure."

Headteacher Phil Temple said at the time that Janet was "admired" for her skills. He wrote: "Sad news. We are sorry to hear the tragic news of the death of our friend and former colleague. Janice Easton whilst travelling in Africa. Janice started working at Titus Salt School in September 1983 and completed almost 40 years of service when she retired in August 2022.

"Janice was a highly skilled Chemistry teacher and was for many years responsible for transition to high school. In these roles and others Janice had a profound impact on generations of pupils and students in the local community as well as countless colleagues who admired her skill, tenacity and determination to ensure all young people had the opportunity to succeed."

Local police chief Robertson Mweemba previously told the BBC: "They were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind. We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors. They both died on the spot."