A WILD elephant is believed to have trampled an elderly woman to death near the Dumpas area in Jalan Merota-Kalabakan near Tawau this morning. 

The incident is believed to have occurred at 7.30am while the victim Samsiah Arshad, 67, and her husband Tahir Salleh were headed to Kongsi 4 of the Cenderamata oil palm plantation on a motorcycle from Kampung Hidayat Batu 4 to visit their grandchild.

Tahir, who is in his 60s, was unhurt.

Tawau district police chief Jasmin confirmed the incident when contacted, adding that an investigation is underway.

Tawau Wildlife Department officer Primus Lambut said the department had received a report regarding a case of a wild elephant that went on a rampage in the Dumpas area, adding that it was not the same pregnant elephant that was previously reported encroaching the Merotai town. – Bernama, September 23, 2022.