A 19-year old student was killed, and his friend sustained serious injuries, when an elephant attacked them last night at Cherampadi near Pandalur, about 80 km from here.

According to police, Shafi and Shanu were returning to their room on a motor cycle after shopping around 10.30 p.m. All of a sudden a pachyderm appeared from a side and attacked the duo, they said.

Hearing the screams and sound of motor cycle, people in the bus stand rushed to the spot and found both lying in a pool of blood, police said.

People immediately rushed them to the Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. However, Shafi succumbed to his injuries and Shanu was admitted to a hospital in Vythiri in a critical condition, they said.

Protesting against the incident, nearly 150 shops in Cherampady and nearby area downed their shutters and wanted the Forest Department to take action to end the increasing elephant menace, leading to death of humans.

Three persons were trampled to death by elephant in the last 15 days in and around Pandalur.