Tusker runs amok, kills 4 near Coimbatore

A wild elephant that entered Vellore taluk near Coimbatore went on a rampage and killed four people, including a 12-year-old girl. 

The police said the elephant first killed the girl, who was sleeping outside her hut and then went around the locality to attack three others, including a woman. Though the victims - Jothimani, Nagarathinam and Palaniswami - were taken to a hospital, they succumbed to injuries.

Panic spread in the



locality as the pachyderm crushed several vehicles and damaged houses. A few others who were attacked escaped with minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. 

The police said the elephant strayed near human settlements from the Madukkarai forest area. Forest officials rushed to the area and were trying to tranquilise the jumbo. Tension gripped the taluk as the rampaging elephant went about smashing and damaging objects in its trail.