Two injured in jumbo attack in Valparai, Nilgiris

COIMBATORE: An estate worker and elderly women were grievously injured in two separate incidents of elephant attacks in Valparai and the Nilgiris.

S Durairaj, 51, from Sholayar Estate working in a tea factory, was chased by an elephant of a six-member herd on Tuesday during his routine morning walk near the ‘Nallakathu’ Sungam bus stop. It caught him by its trunk and flung him to the ground. A forest department team from Manambolly Forest Range on patrol noticed Durairaj and rushed him to Valparai government hospital. He was later shifted to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. Manambolly Forest Ranger, A Manikandan, met Durairaj at Pollachi GH and handed him an initial compensation of Rs 50,000 for medical expenses.

In another incident, Mahalakshmi, 60, from ‘O’ Valley town panchayat in Gudalur suffered serious injuries in an elephant attack. Her house was damaged. The forest department took Mahalakshmi to Gudalur GH and then to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.