Two people have been killed after being attacked by a “loose camel” near a Tennessee zoo, authorities said Friday. Officials lowered the camel “for the safety of everyone on stage.”
The Obion County Sheriff’s Office said it received reports of a camel on the freeway attacking humans Thursday afternoon near the Shirley Farms Zoo. Deputies found two unconscious victims on the ground as soon as they reached the spot and the camel was still relaxed, Sheriff Carl Jackson said on Friday.
Officials from several services responded to the incident, where they tried to help the victims and transport them to a safe place. But Jackson said the camel attacked a vehicle in the Obion County Sheriff’s Office before moving toward lawmakers who were transporting a victim to emergency medical services.
At that time, the officers lowered the camel, Jackson said.
The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified as Bobby Matheny, 42, and Tommy Gunn, 67.
Shirley Farms told CBS News she was upset and mourned the attack and had no further comment at this time.
Obion is located about 100 miles northeast of Memphis.
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