An Ukrainian national, who was on a trip to India, suffered injuries, allegedly after being attacked by a wild elephant near Coimbatore early on Wednesday (May 20) morning.

A Forest Department official said the injured foreigner was identified as Edislav Lien. Department sources said that the incident took place at Mangarai on Coimbatore – Anaikatti road around 12.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The Ukrainian national is believed to have reached Mangarai via Mannarkkad and Anaikatti from Kerala, they said.

According to them, the foreigner halted his motorcycle on the side of the road after crossing Mangarai checkpost for a break, when he had an alleged encounter with a wild elephant.

“Our staff rushed to the spot after being alerted by locals, who also called an ambulance. He was admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for treatment,” said the Forest Department official.

An officer from Thadagam police station said the foreigner was advised to undergo treatment for about 10 days for the injury suffered in the incident.

“The foreigner claimed that his travel documents are in Delhi. The police are in the efforts to check his claim,” the officer said.