MUNNAR: A farmer died in a wild elephant attack in Chundal in Santhambara panchayat. Joseph (Veluchami-62), a native of Chundal in Chinnakkanal, was killed near the Panniyar RHS Estate. Joseph was attacked by the solitary bull elephant named Chakkakomban at 10 am when he was on his way to his farm.

Joseph, who tried to escape when he saw the elephant, was knocked down and kicked several times in a nearby private estate by Chakkakomban. Joseph's arms and legs were crushed. Hearing the commotion, the workers working in the estate rushed to the spot, but they could not get near Joseph as Chakkakomban was not moving from the spot. At the time of the incident, two herds of seven wild elephants were settled within a radius of one kilometer in Panniyar.

Forest department officials reached the spot after being informed by the locals. They chased away Chakkakomban by bursting crackers and creating noise, and after an hour, Joseph's body was recovered from the spot. The body was then taken to Rajakumari Family Health Centre in a forest department vehicle. After the inquest proceedings, the body was shifted to Idukki Medical College.

Joseph is a former employee of Panniyar Estate. His wife is Gnanammal, a worker of Panniyar Tea Estate. Children: Emmanuel, Jhansi Eser. Daughter-in-law: Pavitha.