A 20-year-old student of Cauvery College, Gonikoppal was trampled to death by a wild elephant near Devarapura (Nellikadu) in Thithimathi Forest Range of Nagarahole National Park this morning. She was on her way to the college with her brother on a scooter.

The victim is P.M. Safana, daughter of P. A. Mustafa and P.Y. Sainaba, Tarikatte Estate in Bhadrakola at Thithimathi.  She was a second B.Com student. As her routine, Safana was coming to the college along with her brother on a scooter through a coffee estate this morning when a wild elephant suddenly appeared on the road.

Safana’s brother said that the elephant was standing behind a tree near Devarapura and came on the road on hearing the sound of the scooter. The animal pushed the scooter first and the vehicle fell. The elephant then pulled Safana with its trunk even before she could get up and trampled her while her brother managed to run away.

Irate villagers, who gathered at the spot, staged a demonstration against forest officials for failing to check wild elephant menace in the area.