HOHENWALD, Tenn. (AP) -- Authorities say an elephant that knocked down and crushed its handler didn't do it on purpose, so its life will be spared.

36 year old old Joanna Burke was killed Friday at Tennessee's The Elephant Sanctuary.

State wildlife officials and the sheriff's office say the nonprofit sanctuary didn't violate any regulations and Burke's death was an accident.

A sanctuary executive says Burke was hosing down the elephant when she tried to check on a swollen eyelid. The executive says the elephant wheeled around, the handler fell backward and the animal stepped on Burke, killing her instantly.

The Sanctuary will have a memorial service on Wednesday. It also has a comprehensive web page about Joanna and the accident.

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