Karnataka: Tourist trampled by a charging elephant after attempting to take a selfie

Terrifying footage has surfaced of a wild elephant charging towards a tourist during a dangerous selfie attempt.

The man, identified as R. Basavaraju, is believed to have trespassed into a restricted forest area near a temple in southwest India before his heart-stopping encounter with the massive mammal.

A video of the incident, captured by other visitors at the wildlife reserve in Karnataka, shows the dramatic encounter unfolding.

The footage begins with the elephant standing at the roadside before it suddenly raises its trunk and charges across, forcing an oncoming car to slam on the brakes.

Mr Basavaraju is seen sprinting for his life along the grassy verge as the elephant’s trumpeting echoes through the air.

After outpacing the elephant initially, the tourist eventually stumbled and fell face-first onto the road, leaving the elephant looming over him.

Mr Basavaraju loses his trousers and underwear after the elephant stomps on him several times.

The elephant stands over the man for a tense moment before unexpectedly trotting away, giving the man a chance to scramble to his feet and escape to safety.

The man survived the dramatic ordeal, though he was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

According to a witness, Daniel Osorio, the elephant had been calmly eating carrots by the roadside when the tourist approached it in an attempt to take a selfie.

Mr Osorio said the elephant appeared disturbed by the sudden flash and bolted towards Mr Basavaraju.

“Such reckless stunts not only endanger human lives but also provoke unpredictable and dangerous animal behaviour,” a spokesperson from the Forest Department said.

Mr Basavaraju was fined 25,000 Rupees ($400) and was forced to make a video admitting his irresponsible actions, The Sun reports.