An Orang Asli man was injured after an elephant grabbed him off his motorcycle in Gerik, Perak, while he was foraging for forest produce
GERIK: An Orang Asli man was injured yesterday after a close encounter with an elephant while riding his motorcycle.
The incident occurred along Jalan Kampung Pengkalan Permai in the Air Banun Resettlement Scheme.
Gerik district police chief Supt Abdul Samad Othman said a report on the accident was received at 4.26 pm.
Investigations found that at around 9.30 am, a 34-year-old Orang Asli man and his 30-year-old younger brother went out to forage for forest produce.
Each was riding a motorcycle along the route.
Abdul Samad said the elder brother, who was leading, spotted an elephant by the roadside and managed to pass it safely.
The younger brother, riding with a pillion passenger, could not pass the elephant in time and had to stop.
“The elephant suddenly grabbed him, causing him to tumble into a ravine, while the pillion passenger escaped unharmed,” he said.
The victim suffered injuries to his face and body.
He was sent to Taiping Hospital for treatment.
Abdul Samad advised road users to exercise caution while travelling in the Air Banun RPS area.
He warned that wild animals may appear on or cross the roads. – Bernama
