Somwarpet: A tamed elephant went berserk injuring the mahout and created panic in the surroundings and finally cooled down to regain normalcy in Hangal area of Somwarpet on October 3.The forty-year-old elephant owned by timber trader Mohammed Kutty from Calicut employed in removing logs in the coffee estate lost its cool when dogs in the areas started barking and cows came across to prevent its free movement. It started running helter-skelter creating panic. Suddenly its caretaker, mahout Ibrahim from Shivamogga tried to bring it under his control, but the angry pachyderm pushed him aside using its trunk. The injured Mahout was shifted to local government hospital and later to district hospital since he suffered head injuries resulting in excess bleeding.
In the mean time, the other junior trainer Jose sitting on top, jumped and ran to secure his own life. People started running in fear as the elephant rushed into the estate owned by C P Satish before coming to a halt.
Fortunately students from nearby Jnanaganga School were inside their respective classrooms when the elephant went berserk. After it cooled down, children were seen witnessing its behavioral change and happily exchanging individual views on the incident.
Police and forest officials rushed to the spot immediately. The elephant was finally shifted from the area in a truck in the evening.