A terrified man was rescued from the top of a runaway elephant

This is the extraordinary moment a terrified man was rescued from the top of a runaway elephant - by a rope dangled from the roof of a building.

Dramatic footage shows the rider known as mahout atop the tusker dressed in ceremonial decorations which is throwing its head from side to side.

The terrified keeper can be seen hanging on tightly before onlookers on a nearby building throw him a rope.