Dhenkanal, Jan. 17: A retired army jawan was trampled by a wild tusker near Kangulei village in the Kamakhayanagar forest range on Sunday night. The victim, identified as Seshadev Swain (42), died on the spot.

Prabodh Kumar Samal, an eyewitness said that on Sunday night, a tusker strayed into their village creating havoc. The forest department had been alerted and a group of officials came to the village to chase away the tusker. Until late hours on Sunday, the villagers and officials chased the tusker which refused to leave the village. People carrying drums and lights chased the animal for a few hours.

The eyewitness said that the victim was part of the crowd engaged in chasing. Suddenly, the tusker turned around and charged towards the crowd. While others managed to run away, Swain fell down. The tusker trampled him to death.

The local range officer today gave Rs 10,000 to bereaved family members of Swain.