A tourist, Patrick Fourgeaud, 64, who was mauled by a lion as he slept in a tent with his wife has won a huge payout from a British safari firm.
Patrick was mauled by the adult male – which ripped part of his arm off – during a trip in the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania in August 2015.
He was sleeping with his wife, Brigitte, 63, when she woke up to find the animal sniffing at her back before it pounced on her husband.
The beast was eventually scared away, but Mr Fourgeaud, of Mont-Saxonnex, France, was left seriously injured.
He has since had multiple operations to his arm, while the couple now suffer from mental health problems.
They sued UK-based Africa Travel Resource Ltd for damages and, although the firm denied responsibility, it has now agreed to pay up the settlement which will see the couple receive 90 per cent of the value of their claim.
According to court documents, they are claiming over £200,000, but the final sum is likely more with the lawyers’ bills alone coming to £300,000.
High Court judge Mr Justice Martin Spencer said: “I am absolutely sure the compromise is the right one and a reasonable one.
“It is much better for the claimants that they should have the certainty of a settlement after all this time.”
Court documents revealed that the animal-loving couple, who had been on the safari before, had already spent several nights into their African trip when the attack occurred.
They thought they were safe when they entered into their mesh tent, but woke to find the lion inside.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Fourgeaud said: “I will never forget that moment when I woke up to see the lion there.
“I thought we were both going to die. The attack will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
The couple claim not enough was done to ensure their camp was safe from attacks.
The company after fighting the lawsuit for five years, have finally agreed to settle the case on the eve of the trial that started on Monday, January 25.
