Jamshedpur, Dec. 28 -- A 50-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants in Letemda panchayat under the Kukru block of Chandil sub-division in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

"The 50-year-old deceased has been identified as Gourango Mahato alias Buka Mahato of Letemda village. He was apparently attacked by wild elephants around 3 am on Sunday, after he had gone to his barn to investigate a sound he had heard, mistaking it for the movements of his bulls. However, an elephant was already there and trampled him to death. We have provided his family with Rs.50,000 as instant relief, and the remaining Rs.3.50 lakh in compensation will be paid after the necessary documentation ...