Spokane teen killed by crocodile in Zimbabwe

NW Cable News ^ | 08/06/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

SPOKANE – Spokane students are mourning after they learned one of their classmates was killed by a crocodile.

Katy Reeves, a 17-year-old Spokane student, was attacked while vacationing in Zimbabwe with her family at Mana Pools National Park.

Reeves was with her parents and a sister when the attack happened.

No details were immediately available, but Peter Witherspoon, a family friend, said Jack Reeves, the girl’s father, briefly called over a satellite phone and asked him to break the news to their other two daughters who had remained in Spokane.

Katy Reeves was going to start her senior year at St. George's School, which she had attended since sixth grade.

News of her death hit hard in the close-knit school of 370 students.

“It’s like a family here,” said Don Civola, who supervises the upper grades.

Civola didn't want Reeves' classmates to hear about her death "through the grapevine," so he spent much of the day calling students.

He described Reeves as "a really great kid" who was active in the school's drama and arts programs, as well as its community service efforts.

In addition to dancing and performing in school plays, Katy Reeves taught at the Dance Emporium school. Last summer, she traveled to the gulf coast of Costa Rica with a St. George's biology class to work with sea tortoises, Civola said.

Witherspoon and Civola both described Reeves as vivacious.

"She was a lovely person, a friend of everybody," Witherspoon said. He said he has known her father, a fellow lawyer, since high school.

Her mother, Carol Reeves, is a school speech therapist.

News of the tragedy also was felt deeply at St. David's Episcopal Church, where the Reeves family was active.

There was no immediate word on the funeral arrangements or when the family will return from abroad.

[bedolido]

Katy Reeves

[Tijeras_Slim]

This is a shame, but Africa isn't a theme park.

[stainlessbanner]

Any more details?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I hear ya.

[bedolido]

That's all there was... maybe more later

[mhking]

That's awful...

[Moose4]

In other news, President-for-life Mugabe denounced white farmers as being responsible for this senseless crocodile killing, and ordered five more beaten to death as punishment.

}:-)4

[aegiscg47]

I can never understand people who go on "vacation" to some of the most dangerous spots in the world and think everything is a backyard nature trail.

[WestPacSailor]

This is a shame, but Africa isn't a theme park.

Indeed a shame. Wonder what the odds are of someone being killed by a crocodile? I guess it's just God's way of telling you "It's your time".

All in all it's a tragedy for the family to be certain.

[bedolido]

It has to be a horrible way to die... being eaten alive! Knowing that soon you'll be in his stomach.

[harpseal]

I can never understand people who go on "vacation" to some of the most dangerous spots in the world and think everything is a backyard nature trail.

Its just so beautiful and so wonderful to get close to nature is the underlying theme. I have vactioned in what some wouldsaywere dangerous spots but I was on the lookout for native wildlife that could be dangerous and Iwas equipped to deal with anuy threat.

Clearly crocs represent a danger to human life if a human comes in contact with such an animal. So when in a crocodile habitat one had best be prepared and take precautions and not be squeemish about terminating an animal that has you on its menu.

[hchutch]

Could have been a snake...

[hchutch]

Hate to hear about such things...

[WestPacSailor]

I can never understand people who go on "vacation" to some of the most dangerous spots in the world ...

One simply has to recognize that, in some parts of the world, one is no longer at the top of the food chain.

Why do you think that all of the best distance runners come from places like Kenya and Tanzazia? It's 'cause they gotta be good runners so they don't become good eats!

[ken5050]

NOt eaten alive..crocs grab their prey, then drown them...hopefully, mercifully, it was swift.....as to how it happened..they are the ultimate ambush predators..they drift in the water..close to shore, just below the surface..then they spring.....

[bedolido]

thanks... still... poor child.

[bedolido]

thanks... still... poor child.

[harpseal]

One simply has to recognize that, in some parts of the world, one is no longer at the top of the food chain.

Given the fact that theocean is two thirds of the surface of the world and when one is in the ocean one is not necessarily at thetop of the food chain I am very well aware of this.

Why do you think that all of the best distance runners come from places like Kenya and Tanzazia? It's 'cause they gotta be good runners so they don't become good eats!

No comment.

[Atlas Sneezed]

In Africa, nothing dies of old age.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Sounds like Hillary...