Lahad Datu deputy police chief Jimmy Panyau said initial investigations found that the victim and his 38-year-old son were at the oil palm plantation at around 2pm when a wild elephant suddenly appeared.

The victim was reportedly closing the gate with his son when the animal attacked.

“The victim’s son managed to escape and shouted for help while trying to distract the animal, but the victim did not manage to save himself and was trampled by the elephant.

“Not long after, the elephant, which is believed to have been moving alone, left the scene,” Jimmy said in a statement today.

He said the victim’s son rushed his father to Lahad Datu Hospital for treatment.

“However, the victim was pronounced dead by medical officers upon arrival at the hospital.”

Initial examinations found that the victim had suffered severe injuries, including fractures to the calf bone and ribs.

The case was classified as sudden death.