Going all out for love
Bride who loses arm in croc attack shows up for her wedding undeterred.
HARARE: A couple attacked by a crocodile wedded days later in a Zimbabwean hospital, where the bride was recovering after losing an arm.
“In one week we went from shock and agony to a truly amazing experience,” 27-year-old Jamie Fox said in an interview on Monday.
Fox and his then fiance Zanele Ndlovu were canoeing on the Zambezi, one of Africa’s longest rivers, when a crocodile attacked them on April 30.
Zanele lost her right arm and suffered injuries to her left hand. Five days later, they married in a hospital chapel.
“We were glad we still had our lives and managed to keep our wedding date, although we had to do with a much smaller venue.
“The celebrations went ahead at the original venue but Zanele and I had to remain at the hospital,” Fox said.
He described the wedding as “incredible”.
Victoria Falls Guide, a travel website, describes canoeing on the Zambezi above the Victoria Falls “the perfect activity for those who not only want to see the abundant bird and animal life but also want to experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Zambezi River”.
For the couple, the experience turned into a terrifying incident.
“I was shouting, trying to save her. She was not complaining of pain when we managed to pull her out of the water, maybe because of the shock.
“We were hoping the doctors would save her arm but that was not to be,” said Fox, a former national British tennis player, adding that the couple had dated for about 18 months.
“I proposed in February. We are hoping to settle in the Britain, so we are sorting out her visa and then we will think of the honeymoon.”
Ndlovu was discharged from the hospital on Monday.
“The pain was excruciating but Jamie was by my side and I summoned the strength to fight through it and although he was in shock, he calmed me down,” said Ndlovu.
“I spent a lot of time preparing for my wedding day. I didn’t know that fate would have me being wed in a hospital chapel with one limb missing.
“But in all this I am not complaining and my wedding was the best and I am so happy we proceeded despite all the drama and I have a wonderful husband.”