Man trampled to death by wild elephant near Coimbatore

Man trampled to death by wild elephant near Thondamuthur, Coimbatore; residents demand action from Forest Department.

A 30-year-old man was reportedly trampled to death by a wild elephant in a village near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, on the morning of Friday (September 13, 2024).

The deceased has been identified as Devaraj, a resident of Attukal near Thondamuthur. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Kempanur beat of the Coimbatore forest range.

On the night of Thursday (September 12, 2024), the elephant reportedly entered Attukal and caused damage to crops in the area. Devaraj, who had stepped outside to relieve himself on a private land adjacent to the forest boundary, at around 7.30 a.m on Friday, was trampled to death by the elephant, which was heading towards the forest. He died on the spot.

After being alerted by the residents of the locality, the Forest department staff rushed to the spot and moved the body to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination.

Residents said that Attukal and Kempanur villages have been witnessing regular movement of wild elephants at night and early in the morning. Demanding measures to prevent the animals from entering their villages and farmlands, they staged a road blockade at Thondamuthur, condemning the Forest department’s alleged inaction.