British woman escapes after being attacked by cheetahs

Violet D'Mello was visiting a big cat enclosure on a game reserve when a 'tame' cheetah lunged at her.

She was knocked to the floor by the hand-reared beast which then bit her head.

Violet, from Aberdeen, played dead as a guide frantically tried to pull the animal off - but she was then attacked by a second cheetah.

After several minutes, Violet was able to get to her feet and make a run for it.

"This was meant to be a holiday, but it's really turned into a nightmare," Violet told www.Timeslive.Co.Za .

Violet had been holidaying with her husband Archibald at the Kragga Kamma game reserve near Port Elizabeth.

The couple were allowed into a cheetah enclosure to meet two brothers, Mark and Monty, who had been hand-reared since birth.

"We were told they were completely tame," Violet said.

Violet was treated in hospital for minor injuries.

Park manager Mike Cantor said: "It's not something we've experienced before. We are investigating the matter to figure out what could have triggered the behaviour."