Jumbos attack family car on highway

Car-nage: The car was badly damaged after a herd of elephants attacked it at KM55 of the East-West Highway.

IPOH: A herd of elephants attacked a car after it collided with a calf, leaving a family of three terrified and shaken.

The encounter took place at KM55 of the East-West Highway where herds of elephants are known to live.

Gerik OCPD Supt Zulkifli Mahmood said the pachyderms reacted after the car crashed into an elephant calf at about 7.35pm on Sunday.

“The family, from Penang, were on their way to Jerteh, Terengganu.

“The 48-year-old car driver was negotiating a left bend along the highway when he crashed into the elephant.

“Prior to the incident, the herd of six elephants had been travelling on the road,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added that it was also drizzling and foggy at that time.

“The elephants only left after the calf got back up on its feet,” he said.

Supt Zulkifli said the two passengers in the car, aged 23 and 47, along with the driver, were unhurt.

“The car was badly damaged on its side, front and back. We advise road users on the highway to be extra careful when in the area as there are elephants there,” he said.