British Man Trampled to Death by Elephant in India

A British man has been trampled to death by an elephant while on holiday in southern India, according to reports.

The 67-year-old tourist, named locally as Colin Manvell from London, died at the Masinagudi National Park, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Manell is believed to have died after he went into the park accompanied by a guide and a jungle escort.

There are conflicting reports about how Manell died. Witnesses said he was killed after an elephant became irate at the flash on Manell's camera while he was taking pictures of the animal and charged at him.

Other accounts suggested he was engrossed in his photograhy and did not hear two elephants charge at him from behind.

He died after sustaining injuries to his head, legs and abdomen. He had arrived in Kochi from London on 13 September.

The two guides who were with Manell are currently in police custody.

An inspector at Masinagudi police station told the Times of Indiathat they had yet to inspect the area. He said: "We will be able to ascertain whether the place is a reserve forest area or social forestry area only after we inspect the spot where the unfortunate incident happened.

"We will inspect the place overnight and will register a case accordingly."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national and we are liaising with local authorities."