Police said the incident took place near the temple premises.

The mahout of the temple elephant of Samayapuram Mariamman Temple near Tiruchi was trampled to death by the pachyderm on Friday. Three women and a child sustained injuries after the elephant suddenly turned wild.

The deceased mahout Gajendran, 45, hailed from Mahalikudi near Samayapuram.

Police said the incident took place at around 11.10 am. near the temple premises. Forest department officials rushed to the temple and launched efforts to calm down the nine- year-old male elephant .

Police are yet to recover the body of the mahout. The temple was closed for public following the incident.