Madikeri: A plantation worker was trampled to death by a wild elephant,while another narrowly escaped unhurt near Pollibetta Monday.The victim, Hanumantha, 57, a resident of Mekeri Hoskeri village, had been employed as an elephant tracker at a coffee plantation. According to police sources, the incident took place between 12.15pm and 1pm when Hanumantha went to check for elephant movement in the vicinity where workers were stationed. Suddenly, a lone elephant emerged from the plantation and charged at him from behind. He died on the spot. Another worker, Umesh, who was nearby, had a narrow escape as the elephant attempted to charge at him as well.Hanumantha was a native of Ramanathapura near Hassan and lived in a line house in the plantation, where he worked for the past 30 years. Hanumantha is survived by his wife, Padma, and two children. Following a complaint filed by Padma, Siddapura police have registered a case. Deputy conservator of forests (Virajpet division) Jagannath, ACF (Thithimathi) Gopal, range forest officer Gangadhar, and Siddapura police visited the spot.
