A tourist who was mauled by a lion which ripped off part of his arm after getting into his safari tent in Tanzania has won damages.
Patrick Fourgeaud, 64, was attacked by the adult male animal during a trip in the Ruaha National Park in August 2015.
His wife Brigitte, 63, had woken to find the animal sniffing at her back, before it pounced on her husband.
The animal was eventually scared away, leaving Mr Fourgeaud, of Mont-Saxonnex, France, with serious injuries, having to undergo multiple operations to his arm.
Mr and Mrs Fourgeaud, who both also struggle with mental health problems as a result of their ordeal, sued UK-based Africa Travel Resource Ltd for damages and, although the firm denied responsibility, it has now agreed to settle, a court heard.
Court documents say the Fourgeauds had been claiming more than £200,000 in damages with legal fees estimated at an additional £300,000.
Pictured: Patrick Fourgeaud, 64, and Brigitte Fourgeaud, 63, on the evening of the attack
Patrick had multiple operations to his arm, while both of the couple struggle with mental health problems as a result of their ordeal
High Court judge Mr Justice Martin Spencer today said: ‘I am absolutely sure the compromise is the right one and a reasonable one.
‘It is much better for the claimants that they should have the certainty of a settlement after all this time.’
Court documents revealed that the animal-loving couple, who had been on safari before, were several nights into their African trip when the attack occurred.
They thought they were safe when they bedded down in their mesh tent, but woke to find the lion inside.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Fourgeaud said: ‘I will never forget that moment when I woke up to see the lion there.
Patrick Fourgeaud, 64, was attacked by the adult male animal during a trip in the Ruaha National Park in August 2015
Brigitte, 63, had woken to find the animal sniffing at her back, before it pounced on her husband (pictured: Patrick and Brigitte)
‘I thought we were both going to die. The attack will stay with me for the rest of my life.’
Among their allegations against the UK safari business were claims that not enough was done to ensure their camp was safe from night time attacks.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Fourgeaud said: ‘I will never forget that moment when I woke up to see the lion there’ (file image)
The company fought the claim for five years, but finally agreed to settle the case on the eve of a trial due to start today, the court was told.
‘Somewhat late in the day, as late as Saturday evening, the parties reached terms as to the liability issue on the basis of a 90-10 split in the claimants’ favour,’ said their barrister, Matthew Chapman QC.
Mr Chapman said more work would be done to investigate the level of the payout the couple will seek, although court documents put the claim at ‘in excess of £200,000.’
The judge also ordered that Africa Travel Resource pay £100,000 towards the couple’s already incurred legal costs.
A further hearing will be arranged to set out directions for the assessment of their damages payout.