The 18-year old Manoj Kumar, studying in a private college in Dharapuram, was on his way to catch a bus after two days of holiday in his house in Kanjamalai, when a leopard suddenly appeared from the bush and pounced on him, police said today.
Though panic stricken, Manoj fought bravely hitting the animal with his bag continuously even as the leopard was attacking with its claws.
Finally, he managed to escape from the wild beast and ran to the village entering into a house safely.
The villagers, after providing first aid at a local nursing home, admitted Manoj to the Government Hospital at Valparai where he is recovering, police added.