Tourist crushed to death after jumbos clash

Madikeri: A woman tourist from Chennai was crushed to death after getting caught in a fight between two tamed elephants at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kushalnagar, Kodagu district, on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Joysi (33). Her husband, Joel, and their one-year-old child narrowly escaped. 

The incident occurred when tourists were watching elephant Marthanda being given a bath by mahouts. Suddenly, elephant Kanjan attacked Marthanda, causing the latter to fall on Joysi. Joel, who was holding their child, managed to move aside. 

Joel trying to save his wife Joysi who was caught when elephant fell on her at Dubare elephant camp. 

Members of a rafting team who witnessed the incident from a distance rushed to the spot and helped shift the severely injured woman across the river by a boat. She was taken to a hospital in Kushalnagar in a private vehicle. However, doctors there declared her brought dead.

Elephant Kanjan attacks Marthanda at Dubare Elephant Camp 

Reacting to the incident, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek said that while minor clashes among tamed elephants are not uncommon, this was the first time a tourist died after getting caught in such an incident. He said elephant Marthanda is in a critical condition and is undergoing treatment.