00:00The lorry driver involved in a crash that killed a baby elephant on the Gerrikjeli road
00:06has spoken out about the anguish he still feels.
00:09The man, who only wants to be known as Azhar, said the incident haunts him,
00:15especially when he drives past the site where it happened in the early hours of May 11.
00:21The Kurdha native recounted that he had just taken over the wheel from his co-driver
00:25when he spotted an adult elephant grazing by the roadside around 2.30 a.m.
00:31Suddenly, a baby elephant darted out from the forest.
00:35Azhar braked, but it was too late.
00:38The calf was pinned beneath the lorry.
00:40Moments later, the mother charged at the vehicle, shaking it in an attempt to save her young
00:46and later stood vigil for nearly five hours.
00:50Perhilitan officers arrived at 3.45 a.m. and sedated the adult elephant.
00:55Superintendent Zerlkifli Mahmood, then Gerrik police chief, said no negligence was found in the case.
01:02The father of six has driven this forest-lined route daily for the past seven years
01:06and has frequently seen elephants but never imagined being involved in such a tragedy.
01:12Azhar is shaken by the public backlash and accusations that lorry drivers are reckless.
01:17He said every time he passes that road and sees the tire marks and wreckage, it grips his heart.
01:28You
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