Elephant kills trainer at Wilkes-Barre circus

WILKES-BARRE - An animal trainer was killed Friday after being kicked by an elephant at the Irem Shrine Circus.

Police Lt. Steven Olshefski said the elephant was startled and kicked the trainer, who died at the scene. It's not known what startled the animal.

The circus was closed at the time, and the elephant was in a secure area. Police said other trainers calmed the elephant, and the public was never at risk.

Olshefski said the investigation had been turned over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. - AP