A man was sent fleeing after hitting a wild elephant from behind in east India, causing it to chase him through the fields.

The incident occurred on December 30 in Karanjia near Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

An elephant was spotted near a village feeding on crops and a group of men quickly gathered to chase it away.

One of the men foolishly ran behind it with a stick and struck a few blows to its rear.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the man ran for his life and crept under a culvert to save his life.

This was the stunning moment a man hit a wild elephant from behind. The elephant lost its cool and gave the man a hearty chase.

The incident occurred on December 30 in Karanjia near Mayurbhanj in eastern India.

An elephant was spotted near a village feeding on crops and a group of men quickly gathered to chase it away.

A few men feeling a bit courageous got too close to the animal. One of them ran behind it with a stick and managed to deliver a few blows.

Eyewitnesses said as the elephant chased him, the man ran for his life and crept under a culvert to save his life.

Honorary Wildlife Warden, Subhendu Mallik, said: “People should never go near an elephant as they can charge at an amazing speed much faster than humans can flee.”