On tues Dec 22nd Zimbabwe PH Phillip Smythe was guiding hunters in the SAVE conservancy and was seriously bashed by an elephant. He is in critical condition in the Harare hospital.
Sorry to hear this. Elephant hunting is always dangerous.
Damn, what a shame. My prayers are with him.
A local guy where I live was killed by an elephant many years ago. African game is dangerous!
dam shame , he has more balls than me i don't want to hunt nothing that wants to kill me . i don't know him but wish him a swift recovery
I met him in Zimbabwe a few years ago. Nice young enthusiastic PH.
Just saw on Facebook.
UPDATE ON PHIL:
Phil is certainly not out of the woods yet, he needs your prayers more than anything as the injuries seem quite extensive from what we’ve been told.
We will keep you updated as soon as we get clarity on his injuries from the MRI scans and x-rays currently underway.
Thanks to everyone who is standing with us and the family. Your support makes a huge difference.
UPDATE at 6:30pm GMT 22/12/20
"After MRI and X-rays Phil has a broken arm leg and spinal injury as well as bleeding into his chest. Now we wait on specialists, thanks so very much for your ongoing prayers."
My prayers are sent. I may never get to Africa, but I always want those e who are to return to their families.
Let us hope he was MEDEVAC to RSA...
I'd be most concerned about the extent of his spine injury, the rest should be something he can overcome.
DF
I went to his FB page and one gentleman gave a video update. Phil has two arm breaks, one leg break, blood seepage in this chest which is being drained and most troubling two breaks in his spine, one in which the cord has been severed. It is going to be a long recovery and he and his family will need the help of our community. This sounds like a very worthy project for the Dallas Safari Club's Frontline Foundation.
I am gathering as much information as I can from multiple sources, including Phillip's Facebook page.
Here is the most recent
Everyone:
He is in bad shape. REALLY bad shape. His medical bills will be enormous. I am told he has no insurance.
A couple of important points:
1- DSC Frontline Foundation is making an immediate emergency grant . I am making my contribution through them.
2- Initially, I was a little put off by the English charity . Having to wire pounds sterling is a pain in the ass. My warning light went off with the discussion of the pastor who was going to control the account in Zimbabwe. Well, the pastor is Phil’s father in law. The eliminated my concerns.
Let me add that the DSC Frontline Foundation moved INCREDIBLY fast on this. Well done to them.
That's a shame about the spinal injury, sounds real bad, prayers going out.
I went to his FB page and one gentleman gave a video update. Phil has two arm breaks, one leg break, blood seepage in this chest which is being drained and most troubling two breaks in his spine, one in which the cord has been severed. It is going to be a long recovery and he and his family will need the help of our community. This sounds like a very worthy project for the Dallas Safari Club's Frontline Foundation.
Not much salvage from a severed spinal cord. He'll be a paraplegic in a wheel chair, provided he survives. Here he'd end up on disability, not sure what they have over there.
Tragic. I hope, as Jorge posted, they were able to air evac him to J'burg.
Does anyone know the system over there for disability?
DF
Let me add that the DSC Frontline Foundation moved INCREDIBLY fast on this. Well done to them.
Richard Cheatham is a great man, The perfect individual to run it. I've donated through there as well.
I donated funds here to help Phillip Smythe in a terrible situation. Give what you can in this holiday season to help a great guy. May have to copy and paste the link.
https://payments.cboss.com/clients/pymt/dscfrontlinefoundation/paymentlaunch/default.aspx
Donated earlier today, as well.
I’ll be keeping him in my prayers. It’s good to see the hunting community rally around their own.
He’ll have a long road in front of him but I’m sure he’s a tough one.
Will send out a check tomorrow. Kind of a awkward raffle but it is what it is. Wonderful gesture by the way.
Will send out a check tomorrow. Kind of a awkward raffle but it is what it is. Wonderful gesture by the way.
They have done some of these before and they worked out very well for all.
Thank you for the support!
Any followup on his status?
DF
His surgery was cancelled today and he was put on a ventilator in the hope he will stabilize enough for surgery
Still at Harare or were they able to evac him to J'burg?
DF
His surgery was cancelled today and he was put on a ventilator in the hope he will stabilize enough for surgery
Not a good sign at all. Gravely injured folks on ventilators seldom make it.
He's a great younger PH. What a shame. I hope I'm real wrong about his outcome and am pulling for him.
Prayers lifted up from here!
Ed
The doctors have said there is nothing left that they can do and have called the family in
That's really sad. Another good one down. I don't know him personally but by reputation. Let the Lord do His will. Be Well, RZ
His young wife and children will be greatful for our donations.
He's crossed the river...
His young wife and children will be greatful for our donations.
Very sad situation, prayers for Phillip and family 🙏🙏🙏
...Rest in peace young man
Damn. Was hoping not to see this news. I have kids roughly the same ages... can't even begin to imagine.
...Rest in peace young man
+1 and prayers for his family.
Phil,
Thank you for letting us know and keeping us up to date. His family is getting more support due to your efforts here.
In a profession full of unique, highly competent individuals, Phillip Smythe stood among the best .
Unfortunately he died 1 1/2 days ago. RIP, Phillip....