IDUKKI: A harrowing incident unfolded near Munnar on Monday evening, resulting in the tragic death of a 46-year-old man as a wild elephant launched a ferocious attack on an autorickshaw. Suresh Kumar, known affectionately as Mani, succumbed to injuries sustained during the terrifying encounter, which also left the autorickshaw’s occupants injured, although miraculously, a child emerged unscathed.
The attack occurred at approximately 10 pm near the Top Division tea estate workers’ colony in Kanimala, as recounted by local officials familiar with the incident.
Suresh Kumar was behind the wheel of the autorickshaw, which carried a total of six passengers at the time of the attack. Among the passengers were a family of three, returning from a school anniversary event in Munnar, and two migrant workers bound for Kanimala. The peaceful journey turned into chaos when the elephant, positioned squarely on the road, launched a sudden assault on the vehicle. Despite Suresh’s attempts to evade the attack, the elephant struck him with fatal force.
Despite immediate efforts to rush him to a private hospital in Munnar, Suresh Kumar’s injuries proved fatal, marking a devastating end to the evening’s events.
While the couple traveling with their child in the autorickshaw sustained injuries, thankfully, the child emerged unharmed from the ordeal. Reports indicate that the migrant workers onboard also escaped without harm.
The identity of the rogue tusker responsible for the attack remains unconfirmed at this time. Unfortunately, this tragic incident adds to a recent spate of wild elephant-related fatalities in Kerala, with two previous deaths reported in Wayanad district.
As authorities continue their efforts to address human-elephant conflicts and mitigate such incidents, communities remain on high alert in regions prone to encounters with these majestic yet unpredictable creatures.