Hunsur: A Forest Watcher, who was driving back wild elephants back to forest, fell and died at Veeranahosahalli Wildlife Zone in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve yesterday morning.

The deceased is Hanumantaiah (56), a resident of Nanjaiah Colony in the taluk.

Yesterday at about 3.30 am, a herd of wild elephants raided the agricultural field of one Tavarenayaka at Sollepura village in G.M. Halli, Kallabetta Beat and was destroying the crops. Watcher Hanumantaiah, who was on guard tried to drive back the wild elephants back to the forest during which an elephant tried to attack him. Hanumantaiah, who tried to escape from the elephant fell down and injured himself.

Though other Forest staff tried to rush him to a hospital, Hanumantaiah is said to have breathed his last mid way. Based on the complaint from a Forest Officer, H.D. Kote Police, who have registered a case are investigating.