Two Die In Separate Incidents Of Elephant Attacks
Mahout killed by elephant at Koodalmanikyam temple festival; Another man trampled by elephant in Angamaly
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A mahout was killed in an elephant attack at the Koodalmanikyam temple on Friday afternoon, just hours after a similar incident in Angamaly claimed another life.
The elephant, identified as Vazhavadi Kasinathan, turned violent during the Koodalmanikyam festival and attacked its handlers around noon. Two mahouts, Amal, 28, and Sreekuttan, 25, were injured in the attack and rushed to the Irinjalakuda General Hospital.
Sreekuttan, who suffered serious chest injuries after being trampled by the elephant, later succumbed to his injuries, while Amal remains under treatment at the hospital.
The elephant became aggressive during a ceremonial procession on Thursday night, causing two people walking beside it to fall.
Mahouts managed to bring it under control and tied it at the devaswom grounds.
By Friday noon, however, the elephant turned aggressive again, broke free from its temporary shed, and attacked the mahouts.
Earlier in the day, a 40-year-old man was trampled to death by an elephant near Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple in Angamaly. Another person was seriously injured in the incident.
