Leopard mauling

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

My good friend, PH John Greeff, has just now been horribly mauled by a Leopard. He has been airlifted to JoBurg. While surgery has been postphoned until tomorrow for "evaluation", there is a 90% chance he will lose his right eye. His step son Dustin ("Dusty"), an Appy PH at 19 got two toes shot off in the encounter.
I have no further details but am trying. This is not a guy I spent 7 days with on a hunt and found Professional, nice and personable. This is a friend who has spent three nights in my house and me at least five in his. I have around 40 days hunting with him in Zimbabwe, all involoving DG. He taught me how to hunt DG. We tracked my wounded Lion for nine hours one day and four hours another. Dusty at just over 15 heard the Lion roar when it ran from us and jumped on top of the bakkie cab with my .375RUM and put a double lung shot in the lion that let us catch and me finish him. I have stood shoulder to shoulder with him when seven Cape Buffalo ran within seven steps of us to catch up with the herd and he dropped my first Cape Buffalo that was very sick when it wheeled and tried to mount a charge at me---seven feet from me. I have too many close Buffalo encounters with him to mention!This is my friend and it is too close to home!
Please keep him and Dusty in your prayers!
Thanks!

 

[mconway951]

Sorry to hear about your friend keep us posted and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family

 

[Sytes]

Tom, prayers and thoughts with you and all the family and friends associated. Hope the best for a full recovery.

 

[Moosie]

WOW.................... May he recover fully !

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Accurate Reloading Forum has as much details as I can find and this includes talking to folks who have talked with family and a mutual friend in Zim
I ain't too good on putrs but I think a direct read only link is:
http./forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/6801038531

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Went down to Wes Hixson's Outdoor Adventures this morning and gave Wes Get Well Cards for Dusty and John and tucked a few bucks in John's card to help out.
It appears Searcy is going to donate a double rifle to be raffled for help for the family.
Update is Dusty had three toes injured. They actually saved the two blown off or partially off and are doing "retach" surgery today. He has been hopping up and down the hallways at Mill Park Hospital.
John has lost his dominent right eye, has a broken jaw and nerve damage but Boetie, his father, says he is in excellent spirits as does his wife Vickie.
Wes is leaving on a previously planned trip Tuesday and will visit John. He will email me with updates. John must be in good spirits as Boetie emailed Wes that John insisted Wes go on to his new hunting place in Zim and check it out!
I know it is hard for folks who haven't spent time with a guy standing shoulder to shoulder on DG to understand what kind of bond can develope between a PH and a Client....but I feel toward John as tho he was a brother.
Keep him in your thoughts and prayers!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

John is out of ICU! The docs did not remove his right eye. Gives a glimmer of hope that they might think there is some slim chance of saving it. John also has facial nerve damage and a broken jaw. Following up on poor shots by Clients is not for puzzies.
No update on Dusty.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Dusty has lost the middle toe of left foot and may lose one more. They are keeping him in hospital currently to insure no infection from toe or Leopard scratches.
Butch Searcy has donated a double rifle to help raise money for John. It will be customed fitted to lucky winner, four or five caliber choices are availble. It is not a "Field Grade" rifle. A Muley Hunt has also been donated to same raffle. Only 150 tickets available at $100 per ticket. Details are on accuratereloading.com Go to forums, African Hunting then John Greef Relief Fund Topic for details.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

More surgery tomorrow or next day but John remains in good spirits.
Boddington's Foundation is accepting donations for the family, tax deductable, thru somethingmoresafaris
No amount is too small!
Keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Some infection found so further nerve repair surgery has been postponed. Docters advise damage is so extensive that 100% repair is unlikely. Outer ear reconstruction went well. Eye has not yet been removed----still awaiting to see if any vision is recovered. Eye specialist is not optimistic.
Dust is having skin gratfs and wound cleaning on other two damaged toes. He may only lose the one shot off. He is quite ready to get the heck out of the hospital and back in the bush!
John contiues to be in quite a bit of pain but his spirits are high and he too is becoming quite aggravated at having to remain in the hospital.
The family is amazed and gratified at the support they are receiving World Wide!
Thanks to all for any support and prayers given! Keep them in your prayers!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

UPDATE: Dusty is thru skin grafting but must remain in hospital for another week for observation. Not happy!
John still has infection so further nerve repair surgery remains on hold. Broken jaw is healing nicely as is reconstructed outer ear. Confirmed that he has lost his dominant right eye. Likely will be removed. If infection is controlled quicly so that further nerve repair surgery can go forward, he has been told he may be released in three weeks. Even tho still in significant pain, this does not make him happy. He wants to go practice being a Leftie!
BTW, the raffle limited to 150 tickets for a Searcy Custom Double Raffle, Mule deer hunt and Kodak Camera has been sold out. Thanks to all who participated. Tax deductible donations to the family can be made via Boddinton Fund thru www.somethingmoresafaris.com Your continued support and prayers are much appreciated!

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

UPDATE: John and Dusty are making enuff progress that Vickie went home to Bulawayo to rest and be with the daughters who I believe are now around 9 or 10 and 17 or 18. This is longest she has ever been away from them.
Dusty's toe next to the big toe is 100% saved after surgery. The toe next to the little toe is smashed and crushed but so far saved and they believe he will keep it.
If infection around outer ear is controlled well enuff, John was to have more facial nerve repair today. He is beginning to show signs of depression from long stay in hospital with two or three more weeks to go, the trauma and people staring at him when Vickie "bullies" him into getting up, walking and going outside. Good news is he also continues to insist he will be hunting again next year.
This is my last post on this BB about this topic. If you want to keep up , go to accuratereloading.com , forums, African Big Game Hunting, John Greeff Relief Fund topic
Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

My buddy John has guts! He is already back in Safari business! Will be at SCI Convention in Reno then come to Wes Hixon's annual Open House! I expect he and Vickie will spend a couple of nights with me.

 

[Mudranger1]

That's cool ...getting back on that horse, gotta do it

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Got to visit with John and his wife Saturday. Their airline reservations from El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula got fugged up and they did not arrive in the area until late Fri night. We had planned for them to spend Thurs night with me.
Anyway, John has put weight back on and firmed his body up. Already conducted an Ele safari!! US docs confirmed the sight from his left eye is gone but also said simple surgery should reopen his right ear so he can hear again with it. They also were encouraging on nerve damage to right side of his face.and advised it should be able to be quite a bit improved. He currently has a badly drooping right side of his mouth (worse than any Bell's Palsy I have seen) but is handling speech and drooling very well.
Dusty , minus his middle toe and half of the toe next to the little toe, is currently conducting a Safari.
All in all, GREAT!!!
Thanks for thoughts and prayers!