CHENGANOOR: An elephant and its mahout sustained injuries after a car hit them. The top portion of the car has been completely damaged. The incident happened last night near Vadekkamukku at Puliyoor. The elephant Appu owned by Shree Bhuvaneswari Temple at Peringilappuram and mahout Gopinathan Nair (53) of Thonnakkad sustained injuries. Nair has been admitted at a private hospital in Thattarambalam.

The top portion of the car got dented after it plonked its massive trunk on it. The incident happened when they were returning after attending gajamela at Thiruvanvandoor. Police said the car coming from Chenganoor lost control and hit at the back of the elephant.

The elephant sustained injuries on its tail and right leg. Following the accident, the elephant chained in the premises of Puliyoor temple grounds was examined by chief veterinary officer Dr K Unnikrishnan of district veterinary centre. It was later taken to Peringilapuram. The driver of the car was in an inebriated condition. He has been taken into custody by Chenganoor police.