Saragur: A Forest Watcher was killed when a wild elephant attacked him at Kallere Range in Bandipur Reserve Forest of H.D. Kote taluk on Friday. The deceased is Bomma (59), a resident of Dadadahalli tribal hamlet.

On Friday at about 5 pm, Bomma, along with another Watcher Madhu, was on his way from Vadderahalli tribal hamlet to Yeranakadu camp when a wild elephant appeared all of a sudden and began to  chase Bomma.

While trying to escape from the elephant, Bomma is said to have fallen into a pit and the elephant which lifted Bomma with its trunk, flung him, gored him with its tusks and trampled him injuring him seriously.

Madhu informed the higher officials over the phone about the elephant attack and the officials, who rushed to the spot, were shifting Bomma to Saragur General Hospital but Bomma is said to have breathed his  last midway.

Post-mortem was conducted at the General Hospital and the body was handed over to the family members.

MLA Anil Chikkamadhu, who visited the hospital, expressed his condolences and assured Bomma’s family members of getting Rs. 30 lakh compensation from the Department besides assuring of getting a job to one of the family members on contract basis.