Park sources from Kaziranga said over the telephone that Mary Brunder, an 80-year-old tourist from the US, fell off the elephant, Bhakam, when it was attacked by another elephant, Godapani. The two elephants were taking a number of tourists around the rhino park.

Mary Brunder, alongwith two other tourists, Harvard John and Arnold Mathew, as well as the mahout, Binoy Ganak, fell down when Godapani became violent and attacked Bhajan on its trunk. Brunder reportedly first injured her leg severely and then was trampled upon by Bhajan. She succumbed to her injuries while park officials were trying to shift her to a hospital.