In an incredible show of compassion, Jane Crowe said she has had nothing but sympathy for the Thai elephant handler who was on duty when her son Gareth was trampled to death.

The incident – which made headlines around the world – happened in the holiday paradise earlier this year and was witnessed by Gareth’s 16-year-old stepdaughter Eilidh.

Gareth died instantly and police immediately held Burmese elephant handler Saw Win Tun, 37, over the incident.

But now, in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post, Gareth’s mum has revealed she holds no ill feeling toward the mahout.

“He was just doing his job,” said the mum-of-nine, of Dunoon, Argyll.

“He didn’t go out of his way to cause this awful accident.

“He did get down from the elephant to take photos. That obviously shouldn’t have happened but it wasn’t his fault that the elephant lost control.”

She added: “Gareth died instantly. That’s one thing that has given us some comfort.”

Her eldest son Michael, 39, echoed her thoughts.

“We were never looking for anyone to be punished,” he said.

“I don’t see why anybody should spend time in jail for what happened.

“It was a horrible accident and we don’t want any other family to suffer.”

Gareth, 36, was on the family holiday of his dreams trekking on the island of Koh Samui when the huge bull elephant turned on him – trampling him in front of his horrified stepdaughter.

Gareth’s partner Catherine Hughes, 42, delivered the devastating news to his parents in a desperate phone call from Thailand.

Jane, 61, revealed her “utter disbelief” after hearing of the tragedy.

“Never for one second would you expect your son to be killed by an elephant,” she said.

Gareth, of Linwood, Renfrewshire, had been riding the elephant, named Golf, with his Eilidh when it went berserk.

The beast turned on the mahout – or handler – after he had climbed down to take a photograph of the happy tourists riding on its back.

As they posed for the picture, the elephant threw them off, trampling and fatally spearing Gareth with its tusk before rampaging into the jungle.

Officers claim the handler neglected his duty by climbing off the elephant and investigations in Thailand remain ongoing.

Incredibly, within days the elephant was simply moved to another region and was back giving rides to unwitting holidaymakers.

Jane, who is married to Gareth’s dad, Robert, a 66-year-old retired joiner, wants other tourists heading for Thailand to be aware of the dangers posed by elephant safaris.

More than 100 major travel firms have already pledged to stop sending holidaymakers on the safaris.

But Jane urged tourism chiefs to take tougher action.

“Ideally, I would like to see the whole industry closed down but, realistically, that is not going to happen,” she said.

“But they do need to make sure the elephants are treated well.

“The one that killed Gareth was having serious problems and should not have been working.

“It was a risk to holidaymakers.”

“I feel it is something that almost everyone would do when they were on holiday in Thailand but people do not realise how dangerous it can be.”

After his death, Gareth’s family and friends had to wait more than a week for his body to be repatriated to Scotland. An online appeal raised more than £10,000 to bring him home.

Hundreds of mourners packed the High Kirk in Dunoon for the much-loved stepdad’s funeral, which included a convoy of cars led by car-lover Gareth’s classic Ford Escort.

Yesterday Jane revealed the close-knit family had been left shattered by the loss of a “well-loved” son and stepfather.

She said: “Eilidh has recovered from her injuries but I would imagine it will take a long time for her to get over it emotionally.

“Catherine is devastated but, like all of us, has to get on with life.”

Gareth had just been promoted to a senior supervisor at a commercial diving firm.

He had been set to join a project in Saudi Arabia on his return from holiday but wanted his family to experience the beauty of Thailand first, his mum said.

She said: “It was his fifth time there and he loved the scenery, the clear water and the seafood.

“One of the things that has kept us going is knowing that he died in a place that he loved.”

---

Should this tourism stop?

NO – By Surin Riandtong, Blue Elephant Tours

Elephants have been part of life for Thai people for many years.

Nowadays they are very very expensive with their owners paying 2.5million baht (about £50,000) for them so not everyone can afford them.

Those who can buy them treat them like their children or their wives – they are very well cared for.

Their owners know their moods and how to handle them safely.

They are amazing animals and the best way for people to explore beautiful jungle trails, pine woods and stunning mountain views in Ciang Mai and the northern region of Thailand.

Accidents can happen but we have now been operating for five years and have had none involving tourists and elephants.

YES – By John Robins, Animal Concern Advice Line

Exotic animals are a much promoted part of many holidays.

Elephant rides, camel treks, performing whales and dolphins are among many things tourists are persuaded to part with their cash on when abroad.

Photographers invite you to pose with a snake, a monkey or lion and tiger cubs. Roadside “zoos” display caged exotic animals.

These experiences provide short distractions for visitors but cause a lifetime of suffering for animals.

It is not uncommon for these animals to rebel and vent their frustration on innocent tourists who have no idea of the suffering and exploitation the animals endure.

Keep your cash in your pocket and don’t encourage cruelty.

---

READ MORE

Scots tourist killed by elephant in Thailand

Undercover with the elite SSPCA animal cruelty taskforce