Press Releases

The BBC today, Monday 21 December 2009, published its report into the death of Anton Turner in Tanzania, on 30 October 2009 while filming Serious Explorers for CBBC.

The report, commissioned by Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, BBC, was carried out by Donald-Iain Brown, Head of Talent Division and Operations – Scotland, and concluded that the death of Anton Turner was a tragic accident.

This is the same conclusion arrived at by the Tanzanian Authorities and they are not investigating the death further, as outlined in the BBC report.

Caroline Thomson commented: "This has been a difficult time for the family and friends of Anton Turner. We much regret his death and we continue to offer them our condolences and support. The report concludes that Anton's death was the result of a tragic accident and makes a series of recommendations that the BBC will ensure are reflected in our health and safety procedures."

Anton Turner was the chief guide for the CBBC series Serious Explorers, which was tracing the footsteps of Livingstone's famous journey in Africa. Anton was charged by an elephant and was mortally wounded.

Anton was employed as a local expert, professional hunter and chief guide by the BBC. He was a very experienced expedition, safari and wildlife ranger and former army officer who had worked with the BBC in the past.

As well as making a number of recommendations, the report also identified examples of good practice by the production team of Serious and encouraged these to be shared across the BBC.

The report is available at www.bbc.co.uk/info/reports.

BBC Press Office