Elephant at Miami zoo critically injures zookeeper

MIAMI -- An elephant knocked a zookeeper down and repeatedly kicked him into a pile of rocks, critically injuring him, officials said Sunday.

A crowd of visitors, including children, witnessed the attack, zoo spokesman Ron Magill told WFOR-TV.

The 31-year-old victim was knocked unconscious and suffered a laceration to his head and a back injury. He was in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The zookeeper had worked at the zoo for about two months.

Metrozoo, in southwest Miami-Dade County, did not immediately return a phone call Sunday.