The boy who was returning home from a shop was shocked when the wild elephant suddenly appeared from a thicket and charged at him.

Hearing his cries for help, a few villagers who rushed to his help managed to rescue him and admitted the lad to a hospital in Pandalur. However, he succumbed to injuries, police said.

The Pandalur police have registered a case and are investigating. The forest officials are also involved in efforts to prevent man-animal conflict in the area.

The tragic incident occurred at Pakkanam near Gudalur on Tuesday evening when the boy was walking home, police said.