July 2, 2009
BANGKOK (AFP) - An elephant stampeded three people to death in southern Thailand on Wednesday after breaking free from her shackles, police said.
The 38-year-old elephant, called Natalie, killed two women and a man working on a rubber plantation before her handler was able to recapture her, they said.
The incident happened in Trang province, where the animal worked on a plantation pulling rubberwood.
"All three victims died instantly after she stamped on their chests and stomachs, breaking their ribs," police officer Lieutenant Sonjit Maoeh told AFP.
He added that the owner said the elephant was "violent by nature".
Local reports said the animal had previously killed four people, although police could only confirm that she had killed one person before Wednesday.
