‘Freak’ bull accident kills Weta employee
Wellington-based visual effects giant, Weta Digital, is leading the tributes to a former employee of six years killed in a ‘‘freak’’ bull accident in India.
Argentinian national Juan Pablo Lampe, 29, died after being gored by a stray bull while holidaying in Jaipur, the largest city in the state of Rajasthan in Western India on Saturday night local time.
The accident took place days from his 30th birthday.
Lampe was reportedly walking along a street with his Finnish fiancee and Wellington nurse, Paula Hanninen, when a fight broke out between two bulls, the catalyst for the tragic events which followed.
‘‘One of the animals hit Lampe with its horn. Locals rushed Lampe to a nearby hospital and later was shifted to the SME Hospital, where he died,’’ sub inspector Seema Pathan of the Manak Chowk police station said.
During his years with Weta Digital, Lampe worked as a digital compositor on Hollywood blockbusters including Justice League, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and The Hobbit trilogy.
While Lampe’s employment with Weta Digital ended in August this year, the company’s manager of human resources, Brendan Keys, said it was ‘‘our intention’’ to reemploy Lampe once he returned to Wellington.
‘‘We are all greatly saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague and friend,’’ Keys said. ‘‘Juan was a dedicated part of our crew for six years and a talented compositor who worked with us on many great films.
‘‘He was well liked by all those who worked with him across Weta and we’re currently working to support our crew who are dealing with this surprising and painful loss,’’ he added.
Keys said the company’s thoughts are with Lampe’s friends and family.
News of Lampe’s sudden death has been widely reported in his native Argentina.
In a tweet translated from Spanish, Argentina’s foreign minister, Jorge Faurie, said his thoughts were with Lampe’s family and confirmed his government was working in coordination with Indian authorities.
Argentinian newspaper, La Nacion, said Lampe was walking down a street near the main market of Jaipur with his fiance, who he was due to wed in the coming weeks, when the stray bull attacked.
‘‘The muzzle hit his neck and stomach and he was taken to the hospital but he did not survive,’’ said local police officer Chaina Ram.