PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haldwani
Two cousins died after the two-wheeler they were riding crashed into an elephant on the Haldwani-Rudrapur late on Saturday night. They were riding through the Tanda jungle area- a known elephant corridor- when they crashed into an elephant which was crossing the road. The rider lost control of the two-wheeler, killing one of the youths on the spot while the other died during treatment. The post mortem examination of the two bodies were conducted on Sunday.
According to the police, residents of Vanbhulpura in Haldwani, Shakil (26) and Jafar (28) were riding from Haldwani to Rudrapur on Saturday. An elephant suddenly appeared on the road in the elephant corridor ahead of Belbaba Mandir.
Shakil who was riding the two-wheeler sustained serious head injuries while Jafar who was riding pillion also got injured. The passersby informed the police who reached the spot and transported the injured duo to the Sushila Tiwari government hospital in Haldwani where Shakil was declared brought dead by the doctors. Jafar was referred to a higher centre due to his serious condition but succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Bareilly.
Haldwani forest range officer Lalit Mohan Joshi said that the accident occurred at about 11 PM on Saturday. The Forest department team also reached the site to carry out a check. It is being reported that both of the youths were crushed by the elephant. Forest officials said that this area is frequented by elephants and the cause of this mishap may have been crashing into the pachyderm. The post mortem report will ascertain whether the deaths were caused by a road accident or due to an attack by the elephant.
