Jumbo Tramples Coffee Estate Watchman to Death (Udhagamandalam, India)

A man was trampled to death by an elephant in Gudalur range in the Gudalur division of forests in the Nilgiris, on Wednesday. The incident took place at a private coffee estate in O’Valley near Gudalur.

Radhakrishnan, 45, was a resident of Periya Nagar in O’Valley in Gudalur taluk. At 6.30 am, while he was heading towards his home after night shift, he was, suddenly attacked by an elephant in a private coffee estate, according to forest officials. The victim worked as a watchman in the estate.

“As the jumbo trampled his chest, Radhakrishnan could not make an attempt to escape from the scene,” said the official, adding, “Another man who was accompanying him escaped from the scene and immediately informed the forest officials.”

After the postmortem operation at Gudalur government hospital, the body of the victim was handed over to his family members.

“The initial compensation of Rs.25, 000 was handed over to the family of the deceased,” said the forest official. He further said, “The balance compensation of Rs.2.75 lakh will be handed over after the procedural formalities are over.” Gudalur range of forests, located adjacent to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), is known for significant population of elephants.

This is the second death reported in the Nilgiris due to elephant attack in the Nilgiris in the past three weeks.