An American tourist mauled to death by a lion while on safari in South Africa has been named as a special effects editor who worked on Game Of Thrones.

Kate Chappell, 29, was on a conservation trip in Johannesburg raising money for a charity that protects animals from poachers.

Ms Chappell was taking pictures from her car at Lion Park on Monday when a lioness launched herself through an open window.

She worked for a production company called Scanline and did work on the popular fantasy series as well as Marvel's Captain America and the Divergence films.

The New Yorker's sister, Jennifer, posted a message on Facebook saying: "While on a volunteer mission to protect wildlife in South Africa, Kate Chappell was involved in a tragic and fatal accident. Katie was a brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited woman.

"She was very much loved and shared her love for life with those she met."

Scott Simpson, operations manager at the Lion Park, said: "The dead lady's camera was taken by police as evidence, as she was photographing the lioness through an open window up until the moment the lion attacked the vehicle.

"According to eyewitnesses, the lion was walking near the vehicle and the visitor was taking pictures through an open window.

"Witnesses say that both front windows were down the whole time they were in the enclosure. The other lions in the area watched from a distance throughout."

The lioness had been mating and had several cubs with her at the time of the attack.

It is the third big cat attack at the park in four months.