India, March 3 -- A 46-year-old man was trampled to death by wild elephants in Assam's Goalpara district after he accidentally encountered a herd, forest department officials said.

The incident took place late on Monday evening in the Dhanubhanga area under the Rangjuli Forest Range. The victim was identified as Arup Kumar Das, who died on the spot, officials confirmed.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Goalpara, Tejas Mariswami, told HT on Tuesday that the incident appeared to be a sudden encounter between the victim and the herd.

"He was returning home on his two-wheeler when he suddenly came face-to-face with the herd. Elephants generally do not attack unless they feel threatened. We suspect that the light and sound of the motorcycle...