Maradu: An elephant sustained injuries when its head hit the concrete roof of a petrol pump here in Ernakulam district. The incident happened when the truck carrying the jumbo, Thrissivaperoor Karnan, reached a petrol bunk at Petta near here for refueling. The driver came to know about the accident only when the petrol pump staff and others raised an alarm.
The elephant couldn’t bend down as it was tightly fastened to the wood logs on the lorry. The driver averted a major accident by immediately reversing the truck. People and police rushed to the spot, and the driver was taken to the police station.
Later, the jumbo was given first-aid treatment at the Kottaram temple here. The elephant, which was bleeding from its head, standing under the scorching sun was a heart breaking sight for the onlookers. The pachyderm ate watermelons given by the people.
The elephant was shifted to Thrippunithura where a veterinary surgeon provided medical care to the jumbo. Police said that a case would be slapped against the truck driver.