An 85-year-old woman was killed and another woman sustained serious injuries when they were attacked by a wild elephant near Periyanaickenpalayam on the city outskirts, early today.

On complaints from villagers that three elephants were roaming in the area, forest department officials rushed to the spot and burst crackers to drive the elephants away. Though the elephants moved away, panic remained, forest department sources said.

As one of the elephants moved towards Samichettipalayam, some 30 km from here, Ramathal came in front of it. Holding her by its trunk, the elephant hurled her down, resulting in serious injuries.

As the elephant moved forward, it noticed another woman Thulasiammal (70) in nearby Kasthuripalayam and attacked her.

The villagers took both the women to the Government Hospital here, where Ramathal succumbed to injuries. The three elephants later came to the area and entered a college in Jothipuram, after breaking open the main gate. Efforts are on to guide the animals back to the forest.