Nurse Pauline Stratton was on safari when she died

Pauline Stratton, 54, from Carlisle, was on a day-long safari break when the accident happened on 2 May 2003.

She was nominated for the Nursing Standard magazine award by her colleague Sister Claire McKenzie.

But the judges were so impressed with the work carried out by Sister McKenzie that they decided to award the prize jointly.

Both women had spent time at the Beit Cure Hospital in Malawi.

Working conditions

Sister McKenzie is continuing to raise funds for the hospital.

She said Mrs Stratton, who worked at the Cumberland Infirmary as an orthopaedic nurse, would have wanted the work to carry on.

"We feel that if we can improve working conditions and give advice in Malawi, we can encourage Malawian nurses to stay practising within their own country.

"Following the tragedy with Pauline, we got a letter from them saying that if we gave up on them they would fully understand.

"Spiritually, we all have an understanding now that people can survive through adversity just by believing."

Mrs Stratton was doing voluntary nurse training work in the south-east African nation.

It is believed she was with a group of rangers walking on foot through the national park when the herd of elephants charged at them.