Tiruchanur Elephant Attack Turns Fatal, Mahout Dies
Chandra Sekhar Reddy, 46, was attacked by Srinidhi, the temple elephant: Reports
TIRUPATI: A mahout who was critically injured in an elephant attack at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple in Tiruchanur died while undergoing treatment at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (Svims) hospital in Tirupati late on Wednesday.
Chandra Sekhar Reddy, 46, was attacked by Srinidhi, the temple elephant, on October 4 near the Ratha Mandapam while the elephant was being taken back to the goshala after the Unjala Seva.
The elephant knocked him down and stepped on him, causing severe injuries. He was shifted to Svims hospital and treated in the ICU. His condition later deteriorated and he died late on Wednesday.
Chandra Sekhar had been serving as the mahout of the temple elephant for several years on a contractual basis. The Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD handed over an ex gratia of `5 lakh to his family and assured them of a job in TTD for a family member.
Tiruchanur police registered a case based on a complaint lodged by Chandra Sekhar's wife, Jyothi. Police have begun an investigation and are collecting details to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident.