The American wife and young son of a British scientist are fighting for their lives in hospital after being viciously attacked by a giraffe at a wildlife reserve in South Africa.

Terrified Katy Williams, 35, and son Finn, 3, were left close to just 150 yards from their home on the Blyde Wildlife Estate near Hoedspruit after the terrifying encounter.

Husband Sam Williams, 36, was returning home from work and saw his wife and son under attack and was able to chase off the giraffe and save their lives.

The giraffe which had a two month old calf with it is believed to have attacked the young mom and her son because it felt under threat when they surprised her.

It is believed scientist Dr Katy Williams and her son Finn were trampled by the female giraffe in a vicious and sustained attack until her husband Sam arrived and drove the beast away.

Katy Williams, 35, and son Finn, 3, pictured with British husband Sam Williams, are in intensive care after the incident

The attack happened near their home on the Blyde Wildlife Estate near Hoedspruit (pictured)

Williams and her son Finn had been waiting close to the family home for her husband to return from his evening trail run in the hills around the nature reserve.

Mr and Mrs Williams are both scientists who work on the game reserve and both are said to have extensive post PHD experience in animal related fields.

The attack happened on Monday at 6pm and UK born Sam called for emergency help and the Hoedspruit Medical Rescue team raced to the scene to try and help.

But they were both so badly hurt in such a life threatening condition they were transferred to a local airfield to await two helicopter air ambulances from Johannesburg.

Finn was the first to be airlifted by the ER24 to chopper to Busamed Modderfontein Hospital in Johannesburg and the mother then followed shortly in the second helicopter.

An operation was performed on Finn during the early hours of Tuesday morning to release pressure on his brain due to injuries sustained in the near deadly attack.

His mother was then operated on and both are said to be in a stable but critical condition.

The manager of Blyde Wildlife Estate Riaan Cilliers confirmed the incident and said: 'We are all in shock about this very sad incident and we ensure the family that they are in our prayers'.

Mr Cilliers confirmed that the giraffe in question has a two-month-old calf, which may have had an influence on her behaviour and may have been surprised by the mother and son.

Both husband and wife are scientists with post PhD experience in animal-related fields.

Both the victims were airlifted to the Busamed Modderfontein Hospital in Johannesburg for treatment

Why would a giraffe attack a human? Animals in the wild – including giraffes – attack when they feel threatened or unsafe. If they are with their young the animal may be more on edge. Giraffes like all animals can get spooked and be startled. If frightened they may feel the need to defend themselves. Animals may also attack for food if they think the risk is worth the reward. Giraffes could attack if they feel their young are threatened (stock image) A wild animal could attack to protect their territory. Male giraffes (called bulls) fight by butting their long necks and heads. This is called ‘necking’ and the fights aren’t usually dangerous. They end when one bull admits defeat and walks away. The males are known to be more violent during mating season. Giraffes, which are the tallest mammals in the world, are not usually aggressive but have been known to go on the attack if they feel threatened. Their main weapon is their head, which they swing at enemies like a wrecking ball. Their legs can also be dangerous, with a kick from a giraffe quite capable of killing someone. Advertisement

Mr Williams said in a press statement that he regarded the incident as an 'unfortunate act of nature' where the giraffe saw his wife and son as a threat to her young one.

He said the family has asked the public and media to kindly respect their privacy during 'this very difficult time' that they are going through and released two family photographs.

Any further queries will be handled by their family lawyer Marina Botha from Botha & Lovegrove Attorneys situated in Hoedspruit.

Earlier this year at cameraman on British TV show Wild at Heart was killed by a giraffe as he filmed at the Glen Africa game reserve in Broederstroom in North West Province.

South African filmmaker Carlos Carvalho, 47, was knocked 16 feet through the air when the giraffe slammed into him with his neck and died of his injuries later in hospital.

The TV series featuring a British family running an animal hospital in the African bush was filmed at Glen Africa for many years and Mr Carvalho had worked on most episodes.

The giraffe that killed him called Gerald is said to have attacked others in the past.

Giraffes grow up to 19 feet tall and can weigh over a ton and are the world's tallest mammal and males become aggressive in mating season and females web protecting their young.

Dr Sam Williams later confirmed in an update through his lawyer that several doctors had operated on his wife at Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital in Johannesburg.

Lawyer Marina Botha said: 'The operation to attend to multiple injuries sustained during the attack from the giraffe was completed during the early hours of this morning.

'Dr Sam Williams would like to thank all doctors and medical personal from the hospital for their efforts to give his wife and son the best chance to heal.

'Both mother and son are still in a critical but stable condition. The family said that they have decided to take one day at a time and to remain positive' said the statement.