Wild Elephant Runs Amok on Dehradun Road, Knocks Biker Down; Terrifying Video Goes Viral

A wild elephant created panic on the Haridwar-Dehradun highway in Uttarakhand after attacking a motorcyclist near Jolly Grant Airport in the early hours of Thursday. A video capturing the frightening incident has gone viral on social media, showing the elephant knocking the biker off his motorcycle and stepping over him before moving towards a nearby forest. The incident reportedly took place around 3:46 am on November 12. The motorcyclist was travelling along the highway when the elephant suddenly appeared on the road and charged towards him, leaving him with little time to react.

According to the footage circulating online, the elephant knocked the rider to the ground and stepped over his body, placing its foot near his chest and stomach. The animal reportedly stepped over him twice before moving away. The biker's survival has drawn considerable attention, given the potentially fatal consequences of such an encounter.

The video was reportedly recorded by Shiva Sharma, a cab driver and digital content creator who was passing through the area. He later shared the footage on his Facebook account, following which it spread across social media platforms. The elephant was subsequently seen breaking through a roadside railing and heading towards the adjoining forest.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by commuters travelling through forest-adjacent stretches in Uttarakhand. The Haridwar-Dehradun route passes through areas close to Rajaji Tiger Reserve, where wild elephants are frequently found. Elephants often move between different parts of their natural habitat in search of food and water. Their movement across roads can create dangerous situations, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours when visibility is limited.

The latest incident has also renewed concerns about human-wildlife conflict and the safety of motorists travelling through elephant movement corridors. Authorities and wildlife experts generally advise commuters to maintain a safe distance from wild elephants, avoid honking or flashing headlights at them, and never attempt to approach or film the animals from close range. Further details about the motorcyclist's identity, medical condition and any official action following the incident were not immediately available.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.