A schoolboy was trampled to death earlier this month by an elephant in India after the herd became startled by a group of children who had come to observe the animals.

Footage captured on September 11 in the Suiyyakanari forest in Jharkhand shows the panic that ensued after the group of elephants became startled by the group of children, who were observing the herd up-close.

An elephant chases a person through a field before disappearing from view.

"The 8-10 year-old-boy, who is believed to be from Kurmi Tola of Chitrapur, died on the spot," said police.

Locals expressed their anger at the lack of action from forest officials who had been informed of the herd's presence in the area.

"If the forest department was active, then the child's life would have been saved," one local said.

A schoolboy was trampled to death by an elephant in India after the herd became startled by a group of children who had come to observe the animals.

Footage captured on September 11 in the Suiyyakanari forest in Jharkhand shows the panic that ensued after the group of elephants became startled by the group of children who were observing the herd up-close.

An elephant chases a person through a field before disappearing from view.

"The 8-10 year-old-boy, who is believed to be from Kurmi Tola of Chitrapur, died on the spot," said police.

Locals expressed their anger at the lack of action from forest officials who had been informed of the herd's presence in the area.

"If the forest department was active, then the child's life would have been saved," one local said.