In a heartbreaking incident that has left a village in shock, a man sacrificed his life to save his family from a herd of wild elephants in Bokaro district. The tragedy unfolded late on Saturday night at Darhabeda village in Gomia block, marking the second such fatal elephant encounter in the region within just one week.
Father's Heroic Rescue Ends in Tragedy
According to eyewitness accounts from villagers, the incident began when a herd of approximately six wild elephants entered Darhabeda village. The animals started damaging a house, creating panic among residents. Karanchand Soren, the father of the family, immediately sprang into action to protect his loved ones.
"First, he managed to rescue his wife and younger child to safety," recounted a local villager. "Then he went back for his four-year-old son. That's when tragedy struck. An elephant attacked him directly, crushing him to death on the spot."
Child Seriously Injured in the Attack
The four-year-old boy sustained serious injuries during the chaotic incident and was immediately rushed to a hospital in Ramgarh for emergency treatment. Medical reports indicate the child suffered a fractured leg, possibly from being trampled under the feet of the charging elephant. Hospital authorities confirmed the boy remains under observation and is receiving necessary medical care.
Forest Department Issues Alert
Sundeep Shinde, an Indian Forest Service officer at the Bokaro forest division, provided crucial details about the elephant herd's movements. "The herd is believed to have come from Ramgarh on Saturday and is still present in nearby forest areas," Shinde stated. "We have advised all villagers in the vicinity to remain extremely alert and take necessary precautions."
The forest official emphasized that the incident has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety throughout the village, with residents now living in constant apprehension of further elephant encounters.
Minister Visits Family, Promises Compensation
On Sunday, Minister Yogendra Prasad visited the grieving family to offer condolences and support. During his visit, the minister assured the family that they would receive appropriate compensation under government provisions for such tragic incidents involving wildlife.
The minister's visit brought some solace to the devastated family, though the emotional scars from the traumatic event will undoubtedly take much longer to heal.
Second Elephant Attack Within a Week
This tragic incident represents the second fatal elephant attack in the Bokaro region within a remarkably short timeframe. Just a few days prior to this event, another person was dragged out of their car and killed by an elephant in a separate incident.
The consecutive attacks have raised serious concerns about human-elephant conflict in the region, prompting calls for more effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Local authorities and forest department officials are now working on implementing additional safety measures and awareness programs to help villagers better protect themselves during elephant encounters while also ensuring the safety of the wildlife population.
