Moment tourist is chased and trampled by charging elephant 'after trying to take a selfie'
Footage shows the huge animal charging after the man as he flees for his life in southwest India on Sunday.
The tourist, named as R.Basavaraju, had reportedly trespassed into a restricted forest near a temple before the encounter.
A video of the incident was filmed by visitors at the reserve in Karnataka and has since emerged online.
It shows the elephant standing on the roadside before raising its trunk and charging across the road in front of a moving car - in pursuit of the tourist.
Basavaraju is seen turning around and running away from the mammal into the busy road.
But, he faceplants onto the tarmac and the elephant catches him.
The giant animal stomps on him several times, taking off his trousers and underwear.
A video of the incident was filmed by visitors at the reserve in Karnataka and has since emerged online. It shows the elephant standing on the side of the road before flinging its trunk and charging across the road in front of a moving car - in pursuit of the tourist
The elephant stands over the tourist before trotting away - allowing the man to get to his feet and flee to safety.
Miraculously, the man survived but was taken to hospital with severe injuries.
According to a witness, Daniel Osorio, the elephant was seen eating carrots roadside when the tourist approached it to take a selfie.
The elephant was provoked by the sudden bright flash and attacked the man.
Basavaraju was slapped with a hefty fine of 25,000 Rupees (£200) and ordered to make a video confessing to his actions.
In the clip he says his behaviour was caused by his lack of knowledge on wildlife safety rules.
The witness, Osorio, said: 'This incident is a strong reminder to follow the rules of the wildlife reserves and to let trained authorities, not people on foot, handle situations like this.'
He also warned other tourists to not make the same mistake.
The Forest Department said: 'Such reckless stunts not only endanger human lives but also provoke unpredictable and dangerous animal behaviour'.
The Indian sub-continent has at least 30,000 wild elephants- more than any other country.
They are also home to 60 per cent of the world's entire Asian elephant population.
This is not the only elephant attack to happen in India recently.
Last year an elephant attacked a Russian traveller at at the Amer Fort in Jaipur - a popular tourist site.
Footage shows the female elephant grabbing the woman with its trunk, swinging her vigorously, and then slamming her to the ground and breaking her leg.
Another person appears to go flying as the tourist is swung around the courtyard. Two people were injured in the commotion, animal welfare group PETA reported.
The same elephant, who is forced to give rides at the popular tourist site, also severely injured a male shopkeeper in October 2022, the organisation said.
While elephants rarely act out, welfare groups say they can become aggressive and even kill people when threatened or mistreated like the thousands used for entertainment purposes across Asia.
Footage showed Gouri the elephant attacking a Russian tourist in the main courtyard of Amer Fort in Jaipur, India.
The gentle giant - known as 'Number 86' at work - is pictured cloaked in red cloth and a saddle as others nearby carry tourists on their backs.
At the start of the clip, Gouri picks up the traveller with her trunk and swings her round the courtyard.
The tourist is sent flying as the elephant lets go, and another person appears to fall from the elephant's back.
Gouri turns to walk away hurriedly as witnesses rush in to help the two people lying on the ground.
According to PETA, the elephant also attacked a shopkeeper in October 2022, breaking his ribs and one of his legs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment ‘drunk' pilot who ‘reeked of boozed' is escorted by cops from cockpit moments before takeoff
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the horrifying moment a "drunk" pilot is taken off the plane by cops just moments before takeoff. Southwest Airlines pilot David Allsop, 52, of New Hampshire, was arrested at Savannah/Hilton Head airport in Georgia and charged with driving under the influence. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 David Allsop was escorted off the plane for reportedly being drunk 8 The pilot claimed the odour was from his nicotine gum 8 He was asked to perform three sobriety tests Cops boarded the aircraft, pulled Allsop from the cockpit and marched him off the plane in front of stunned passengers. Passengers were delayed for hours when the flight from Savannah to Chicago, Illinois, supposed to take off at 6:05am didn't get in the air until 11am. Shocking footage taken by police body cam shows the moment officers smell alcohol on the pilot's breath. Standing on the jet bridge cops confront Allsop, who claimed he had only drunk a "few beers" the night before. Read more on World CHOPPER HERO Helicopter pilot suffers heart attack over volcano - but wrestles chopper down He also suggested the odour was coming from his Rogues nicotine gum. Still suspicious, they asked him if he would take a sobriety test to which he replied "no, there is no need". But after initial hesitation he eventually conceded and reportedly took three tests - two of which he failed. The pilot was then escorted out of the airport, arrested and taken into police custody for questioning. Southwest Airlines told Fox News it was looking into the incident and confirmed Allsop has been 'removed from duty'. The company said: "We're aware of a situation involving an Employee on Flight 3772 this morning from Savannah. "The employee has been removed from duty." Delta pilot arrested in front of shocked passengers on flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco after landing into SFO Allsop's public LinkedIn profile states he has been a pilot for Southwest since 2006, and before that he spent nine years flying squadrons in the US air force. US law prohibits pilots from flying an aircraft with a blood alcohol level above 0.04, which is lower than the 0.08 limit for motor vehicles. Violations of the law could result in a pilot's licence being revoked. It is not clear what led to the suspicion that Allsop was intoxicated when he turned up to work. Southwest also apologised and said passengers on the grounded plane were accommodated on other flights. A spokesperson said: "Customers were accommodated on other flights, and we apologize for the disruption to their travel plans. 8 He reportedly failed two out of the three tests 8 He initially refused to take a test 8 Cops then ordered him off the plane "There's nothing more important to Southwest than the safety of our employees and customers." The police investigation in ongoing. In 2023, a Delta Airlines pilot risked the lives of hundreds when he was found to be two-and-a-half times over the limit before he was due to fly across the Atlantic. Lawrence Russell Jr, 63, was set to fly a Boeing 767 from Edinburgh to New York last year when he was caught with alcohol in his system. Security staff at Edinburgh Airport searched Russell Jr's luggage and found he had two bottles of Jägermeister in his bag in June 2023. Suspicion arose when one of the bottles was spotted and found to be just "half full", with Russell admitting he had guzzled the rest. The police were called and Russell failed the breath test. He later underwent blood tests at Livingston Police Station which showed that Russell had not less than 49 mg of alcohol in 100 mg of blood. This level far exceeded the legal limit of 20mg/100ml imposed by UK law. He was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to reporting for duty as a pilot while being impaired through alcohol. 8 The pilot was pulled off the plane in front of shocked passengers Credit: Paty Dermody
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
The Yorkshire town that's been dubbed the ‘Italy of England' with historic viaduct and river boats
IN Yorkshire is one of the UK's most beautiful towns - and it's even been compared to Italy. Knaresborough has waterways and plenty of boats, so it's not too hard to see the comparison, especially in the summertime. 4 4 On social media, one visitor recently called Knaresborough "the Italy of England." It showed visitors paddling along the River Nidd looking up at the towering viaduct, and tourists pottering around the town's winding streets. In Knaresborough, you'll also find riverside cafes, steep little streets, and plenty of historic attractions too. It's widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. On the social media post, another person commented: "It's one of my favourite places in the whole world." Knaresborough is known for its stunning natural beauty, particularly along the River Nidd where locals and tourists can hire out boats and paddleboards - much like they do in certain Italian destinations. The town is known for having a huge viaduct which carries the Harrogate line over the River Nidd. It's a big attraction that draws in lots of visitors every year. Knaresborough is also home to the oldest tourist attraction in England, Mother Shipton's Cave. The cave is the birthplace of England 's most famous prophetess, Mother Shipton. The UK towns with such magnificent scenery they're known as 'Little Switzerland' 4 Mother Shipton predicted lots of historical events, including the great fire of London and the black death. Inside the cave is a Petrifying Well, where objects can be seen turned to stone. The attraction sits on the banks of the River Nidd and tourists have been charged to go inside since the year 1630. Knaresborough also has a ruined fortress which lots of visitors have said is the best place to get views "over the town, river and viaduct." Find out more about Knaresborough from someone who grew up there. She has all the top tips including where to hire out a boat to take it down the River Nidd. Her favourite riverside cafe is called Marigolds and she has a suggestion of pubs around the town. One of her favourites is Carriages, which she described as having a "cosy atmosphere and tasty food". In the summer, it's a great spot for pretty views of Knaresborough train station. Plus, discover the UK's best seaside destinations revealed – with a small English resort making the top 10 for the first time. And see more quaint . 4
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
National Trust shuts famous UK beach voted one of best in the world due to health and safety fears
ONE of Britain's most jaw‑dropping beaches has been shut off without warning after safety bosses sounded the alarm over dangerous conditions. Pedn Vounder in Cornwall has been closed to the public by the National Trust amid mounting fears over rip currents, rockfall, and the treacherous cliff path down to the sand. 2 The powder‑soft, turquoise‑water cove that regularly makes 'world's best' lists. Barriers and warning signs have gone up, and rangers are urging visitors to stay away until further notice while they review how to make access safer. What's happened? The National Trust has closed public access to Pedn Vounder, near Treen on the far west Cornwall coast. The charity says the decision was taken on health and safety grounds after repeated incidents and concerns about the steep access route and rip currents. The closure is described as temporary while options to improve safety are explored. Where is Pedn Vounder - and why is it such a big deal? Tucked between Porthcurno and Logan Rock on the Penwith peninsula, Pedn Vounder looks like it's been lifted from the Caribbean: clear, shallow waters over pale sand, backed by dramatic granite cliffs. It's a wild beach - no lifeguards, no facilities, no road - and you only reach it via a rugged coastal path and a scramble down a rock face near low tide. That mix of beauty and danger is exactly why it's so famous and so fraught. On a calm day, it's postcard‑perfect. When the Atlantic swell and tides turn, it can be unforgiving. Why has it been closed now? The Trust's priority is the access route and sea conditions: The path: The descent is steep and uneven, with a scramble at the end. Erosion and slips have made sections more precarious, and there's no easy way back up if you get into difficulty. The sea: Pedn Vounder is notorious for powerful rip currents, fast‑flooding tides, and shifting sandbars that can catch even confident swimmers off guard. The beach is not lifeguarded. Rockfall risk: Cliffs along this stretch are constantly weathered by wind and waves. After periods of heavy rain and heat, the chance of loose material falling increases. Rangers have seen a spike in incidents during busy spells, and coastal rescue teams have repeatedly warned that people are being cut off by the tide or pulled into stronger water than they expect. Shutting the beach gives the Trust time to assess the path, improve signage, and consider whether access can be made safer without encouraging risky behaviour. How long will it be closed? There's no fixed reopening date. The Trust says the beach will remain closed while they carry out assessments and work through possible solutions with partners. This is a protected landscape and any intervention has to balance public safety with the area's wild character. Expect updates once surveys are complete and any work is agreed. The UK's best beach revealed – its white sand and turquoise lagoons helped it beat Jamaica & Thailand Why Pedn Vounder keeps topping the charts The appeal is obvious. On a sunny day, the water glows blue‑green, there's a slice of reef‑sheltered shallows, and the cliffs create a natural amphitheatre that feels a world away from the nearest road. It's also known for a relaxed, clothing‑optional vibe in parts of the cove - another reason it grabs headlines. Travel writers and social media feeds have hyped it as a 'must‑see' for years. That attention brings huge footfall to a place that was never designed for crowds, with many visitors unaware just how quickly conditions can shift on this exposed Atlantic corner. 2 Pedn Vounder's closure is a wake‑up call. This slice of Cornish paradise is spectacular - and it's seriously hazardous when conditions line up. The National Trust has taken a cautious approach, figuring out how to make access safer without damaging what makes the place special. If you're Cornwall‑bound, there's still plenty to enjoy. Choose lifeguarded beaches for swimming, respect the coast, and stay informed about official updates regarding Pedn Vounder. When it's safe to do so, those turquoise shallows and sweeping granite cliffs will still be there - but for now, the barriers are up for good reason.
