A LINWOOD teenager is recovering in a Bangkok hospital after she was injured by an out-of-control elephant that killed her father.

Eilidh Hughes, 16, was thrown from the male elephant during a safari trip on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, on Sunday.

The rampaging animal then gored her father Gareth Crowe, 36, who died from catastrophic injuries caused by the elephant's tusks.

Gareth’s distraught partner Catherine Hughes, 42, has spoken of her anguish and confusion at what happened during their trip to the South East Asian country, saying: “We don’t know why it turned.

“It’s just myself, my son and her here. I’ve not been in touch with the British Embassy.

“I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Right now I need Eilidh to rest.”

It's understood Gareth, who worked as a diver, was originally from Islay but was living with Catherine and their children in Linwood.

Eilidh's Facebook page has been flooded with messages from concerned friends back in Linwood.

Julie Baker posted: "Thinking of you Eilidh love to mum and mark devastated about Gareth."

Laura McBurnie said: "Hope ur ok, thinking bout u all."

Sarah-Jane Blincow‎ added: "Miss and love you loads."

Reports in the Thai press say the elephant, named Golf, was proving difficult for the handler to control during a trip through the forest area of Tambon Bor Phud.

It's thought the beast flew into a rage and threw Eilidh and Gareth from its back before carrying out the fatal attack.

Eilidh is believed to have suffered minor injuries from the fall and was treated at Samui International Hospital before being moved to Bangkok Hospital.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said last night: “We are offering support to the family of a British national who has died following an incident in Koh Samui, Thailand.

“We are making contact with the local authorities to seek further information on the incident.”