Palakkad (Kerala) | A man died after being attacked by a wild elephant while sleeping under a tree in a forest area near Malampuzha here on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Chandran of Akamalavaram near Malampuzha.

According to police at Malampuzha station, Chandran and two others were sleeping at a short distance away from the house.

Their house is on the edge of the forest, and they slept outside because of the summer heat.

Police said a wild elephant strayed into the area early in the morning.

While the others managed to escape, the elephant dragged Chandran and attacked him, police said.

After driving away the elephant, residents rescued Chandran, but he had died before the ambulance arrived, police said.

Police said the trio were sleeping in a forested area about 50 metres from Chandran's house.

Officials said that wild animals frequently stray into the village, and Chandran had been warned by villagers and relatives not to sleep outside.

A case of unnatural death will be registered, and the body will be handed over to relatives after postmortem, police added.