A forest guard was trampled to death by an elephant at Kannamvayal in Cherampadi Forest range, some 80 kms from Udhagamandalam, today.

Sureshkumar 45, was among some forest department officials on duty to drive away the herd of elephants straying into human habitats.

An elephant suddenly appeared from behind the bush and attacked and trampled Sureshkumar, killing him on the spot, department sources said. The body was taken to Gudalur Government Hospital for post mortem.