An elephant reportedly died after being hit by an iron-laden truck in the Telkoi area of Keonjhar on Tuesday.
As per reports, an iron-laden truck was on its way from Keonjhar towards Pallahara. At that time, the tusker was crossing the NH-49 near Kantabahal when the truck hit the pachyderm. The animal was grievously injured but managed to move into a nearby farmland. Minutes later, the tusker died.
The forest department has detained the truck driver.
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However, the truck driver Sunil Kumar Sahu told the media that the truck was coming from Suakati while forest officials were on the other route and perhaps driving out the elephant which suddenly appeared from the right side and collided with the truck.
No comments have been received from the Forest Department officials.