Leading NT vet surprised by group camel attack that left tourist fighting for his life

A leading NT vet says it’s ‘highly unusual’ for a herd of domesticated camels to stampede at once, after a tourist was thrown to the ground and trampled on by multiple camels.

IT’S “highly unusual” for a herd of domesticated camels to stampede at once, says a leading Northern Territory vet.

It comes after a 54-year-old tourist narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by multiple camels while taking a ride on one in Yulara last Thursday.

Boyd Sampson, who was holidaying at Uluru with his sister and young nephew, has been moved into the surgical ward at Alice Springs Hospital and remains in a critical but stable condition.

Dr Alex Burleigh, head of two veterinary clinics across the Territory, said he has seen cases of bad apples among a group of camels, but never multiple camels playing up all at once.

Dr Alex Burleigh says it’s ‘highly unusual’ for a group of camels to stampede at once. Picture: Supplied

“If we had an individual being kicked by a camel, I’d say ‘that’s hardly surprising’, but for someone to get trampled by a group of them is very unusual,” he said.

“If an animal gets spooked they’re going to get the fight or flight response and would be startled.

“It’s most likely that one of the camels got spooked by something, which then spooked the other camels as well at the same time.”

Dr Burleigh said domesticated camels were generally “fairly amenable” creatures but as with any large animal, they do have the potential to maim a human.

“Having a domesticated camel means you’re able to train them to be broken in and to be ridden on, and for people to enjoy themselves on them,” he said, noting that camels had been used as a form of transport for thousands of years.

Mr Sampson’s family said the 54-year-old owes his life to an ex-paramedic who happened to be on the same camel tour, and his sister Natalie, who used herself as a human shield to protect her brother from further camel attacks.

Boyd Sampson, 54, receives first aid following a 'traumatising' camel attack in Central Australia. Picture: Supplied.

NT WorkSafe received a notification about the incident from the tour operator and has commenced an inquiry to determine the appropriate regulatory response.

NT Police officers attended the site last week and were satisfied that “no criminal offences occurred” in relation to the incident.

Tourist in critical condition following ‘traumatising’ camel attack

A MAN is fighting for his life in hospital after being thrown to the ground and attacked by a caravan of camels while holidaying with his sister and six-year-old nephew at Uluru.

Boyd Sampson, 54, had arrived in the Red Centre on Thursday morning from Brisbane for a family holiday, but it soon turned into a nightmare when the trio turned up for a sunset camel ride that afternoon.

Mr Sampson’s family say a heroic act by his sister – who threw herself on top of her brother to shield him – and first aid assistance provided by an ex-paramedic who happened to be a part of the tour group, was the only reason the 54-year-old was still alive.

His sister Karen Quinn said her whole family are “traumatised” by the incident and have hopped on the first available flights to be by their brother’s side.

She said her six-year-old nephew was particularly affected by the ordeal due to his close relationship with his uncle, who had ”raised him like a father”.

Boyd Sampson, with his sister Natalie and nephew Clay, moments before the ‘traumatising’ camel attack. Picture: Supplied.

The 54-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition at Alice Springs Hospital, having endured a broken femur, multiple fractured ribs, and blood clots on his heart and lungs.

Ms Quinn said following their dad’s death in January, Boyd, his sister Natalie and young nephew Clay, had hoped to put the shocking start to the new year behind them.

But towards the end of their ride through Yulara, the township just west of Uluru, Boyd’s camel got “spooked” and threw him to the ground.

“He was trampled by two camels,” said Ms Quinn.

Boyd Sampson with his nephew, who is now six years old and bore witness to the camel attack while holidaying at Uluru. Picture: Supplied.

“The camels’ hoof came down on the side of his head, his back, everywhere. He had four camel hoofs smashing his body.”

At this point Natalie – who had been riding with Clay on a camel further back in the group – leapt from her saddle to put herself in harm’s way to save her brother’s life.

“My sister is not a very big girl, in fact she’s very tiny,” said Ms Quinn.

“She jumped off this animal as if she was Superwoman and charged through the pack of camels just to get to him and cover.”

The NT News understands riders were not provided with helmets by the tour operator on this occasion.

An NT WorkSafe spokesman confirmed the agency had been notified of the incident and had commenced an inquiry.

“NT WorkSafe can confirm that a notification has been made regarding a tourist being injured after being thrown by a camel in Central Australia,” the spokesman said.

“The notification was made by the tour company as required by the section 38 of Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011.

“NT WorkSafe has commenced an inquiry into the incident to determine the appropriate regulatory response.”

NT Police Senior Sergeant Shaun Furniss confirmed officers attended the incident last week and were satisfied “no criminal offences (had) occurred”.

“NT WorkSafe have carriage of this investigation,” he said.

The tour operator, which the NT News has chosen not to name, confirmed an incident had taken place but declined to comment.