Three persons of Balakottai village in Anthiyur forest had gone into the jungle to collect firewood last evening when they were confronted by a wild elephant, police said.
As the elephant started chasing them, the trio took to their heels and on the way Madhan climbed a big rock while the others came to a plain area.
The two others informed fellow villagers about the incident and they launched a search but could not locate Madhan.