Gerik police chief Zulkifli Mahmood said police received news of the 2.30am incident, in which the young male elephant was said to have suddenly exited the forest on the left side of the highway.

He said the 28-year-old driver of a lorry bound for Jeli from Gerik first saw a large elephant on the left side of the highway grazing on the grass, after which the younger elephant suddenly attempted to cross the road.

“Because of the short distance, the driver was unable to avoid the elephant and crashed into it, killing it on the spot,” he said.

Zulkifli said the larger elephant, believed to be the mother, flew into a rage and destroyed the front of the lorry. The driver was however uninjured.

He said police contacted the wildlife and national parks department, which sent personnel to tranquillise and calm the elephant.

TikTok users posted videos of the mother elephant, which they said patiently waited until daybreak for its child to be removed from under the lorry.