Filmmaker Carlos Carvalho has passed away in an accident involving a giraffe on the set of a film in South Africa. South African crew agency CallaCrew announced the tragedy on Thursday via social media. Carvalho was 47-years-old.
The agency posted on Facebook, "It is with a very sad heart that we have to announce the passing of Carlos Carvalho, one of our favourite DOP’s. Carlos was filming a feature at Glen Afric and had a fatal run-in with a giraffe on set. He was flown to Milpark Hospital but succumbed to his injuries 20:50 last night. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Carlo’s family and friends during this very sad time. He will be sorely missed."
Richard Brooker, whose family owns the Glen Afric Country Lodge, told The Telegraph, "When Carlos was standing in front of the giraffe, the animal spread its legs, bent its neck and swung its head at Carlos." The animal was reportedly a bull giraffe named Gerald. "Gerald will remain at the lodge. He did nothing wrong," added Brooker.
Drikus Van Der Merwe, a member of the film crew who witnessed the incident, told Telegraph, 'The giraffe followed him but we didn't feel threatened because he just seemed to be inquisitive." He added, "We started shooting close-ups of its body and its feet. Then while Carlos was looking through the camera eyepiece Gerald swung his neck and hit him against his head. It came out of nowhere and Carlos didn't even see it coming. He wasn't aware of the danger."
In 2013, Carvalho won the best cinematography prize at the African Movie Academy Awards for his cinematography work on the film The Forgotten Kingdom.
