Tea estate worker trampled to death

A 55-year-old tea estate worker was trampled to death by a wild elephant in the hilly Valparai area in the district in the early hours today.

The worker James was walking on a road when he noticed two elephants coming from opposite direction.

Though he attempted to run to safety, one of the elephants caught hold of him with its trunk and trampled him to death, police said.

A herd of elephants has been moving around Valparai area for the last 15 days, destroying agricultural land and also damaged ration shops and articles, creating panic among the people.