The worker was on his way to the kiln in Kanuvai when the elephant appeared suddenly from behind the bushes and trampled him to death, they added.
Public and kiln workers informed police and forest department officials, who rushed to the place, recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem.
Villagers told the officials that the elephant had been moving around in the area for the last six months and had reportedly killed three persons during the period and sought steps to prevent it from entering human habitats.
The man was crossing the road at around 6.30 AM, when the elephant attacked him, creating panic among the residents, police said.
After being provided first aid at Mettupalayam government hospital, he was admitted to the government hospital here.
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