Kochi: A 21-year-old student tragically lost her life when a palm tree, uprooted by a wild elephant, fell onto the bike she was riding pillion on Saturday. The incident occurred at Chembankuzhi in Neriamangalam, near Kothamangalam. The deceased, CV Ann Mary, was from Kanjikode in Palakkad and a third-year student at the Mar Athanasius College of Engineering in Kothamangalam.

Her friend, Althaf Abubacker (21) from Kothamangalam, who was riding the bike, sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at a private hospital. The accident occurred near the Nagarampara Forest Station around 6 pm as the pair returned from Idukki.

Although Althaf cried out for help and forest guards from the station quickly rushed them to the hospital, Ann Mary could not be saved. Her body was later moved to the morgue at the Government Medical College in Ernakulam.