A 34-year-old Purley man has been trampled to death by an elephant while on honeymoon in Kenya with his new wife.

Patrick Smith was killed in front of wife Julie in the Masai Mara National Reserve on Sunday.

According to reports his wife managed to leap out of the way.

The couple, who live in Pampisford Road, Purley, were married in London on September 23 and were looking forward to starting a family together.

Patrick's wife Julie has spoken of her grief and said that his death will leave a huge gap in all their lives. She added: "Paddy was loving, generous, humorous and a wonderful husband. He was also a devoted son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend to many, many people. His tragic early death will leave a huge gap in all our lives."

They were on honeymoon, staying at the luxury Richard's Camp lodge in the Masai Mara game reserve, about 100 miles south west of the capital, Nairobi.

According to a spokesman for the Kenya Wildlife Service, the couple set out for a nature walk on Sunday morning and were with a Masai guide just 330 yards outside the camp when the elephant attacked.

Spokesman Connie Maina said: "This is a terrible accident. We think the elephant must have been at very close proximity to the couple and was surprised, they don't normally do this kind of thing. The wife saw what happened. I am told she is OK but is shaken up."

A spokesman for Reuters, where the couple both worked, said: "Reuters was shocked to hear of this tragic accident to one of its employees. Our thoughts are with the family whom we are trying to assist practically as much as we can."

Jake Grieves-Cook, of Kenya's tourist board, said: "The Smiths didn't do anything wrong. They were downwind, with a very experienced guide and thought they were safe.

"A herd of elephants were startled by something and charged. Elephants have very poor eyesight so this was not an attack. They just happened to be in the path of a spooked elephant.

"Mr Smith was crushed as it trampled over him and kept on running. The guide was knocked over but escaped with no injuries."

He added: "You can imagine how Mrs Smith is taking it. She was on honeymoon and then suddenly there was this devastating experience."

Mr and Mrs Smith moved into Pampisford Road six months ago and had been renovating the four bedroom house in preparation for starting a family.

Neighbours said that Patrick was a keen gardener and wine buff who had been working hard to transform the couple's house.

A neighbour of the couple's previous home in Russell Hill said that she was shocked by the accident.

"They are a lovely couple, we used to have drinks together on the patio, it is unbelievable."

Julie's parents, Michael and Patricia Heslop, said from their home in Cornwall that the tragedy had devastated the family.

According to Kenya's Wildlife Service, the last tourist killed by an elephant in Kenya was in 2000. Tourists are warned on safari to be aware of the animals, which appear friendly but often warn observers if they get too close. They can run at speeds of up to 25 mph.

Tourist officials said the tented camp, in the north-western corner of the Masai Mara, would be closed for several days because of the accident.

Kenya's flying doctor service air-lifted Patrick's body to the capital Nairobi and Julie was expected to fly back to Britain on Monday.