Baby elephant walks ... into a ditch in Goalpara district of Assam state, India

A BABY elephant walk took an unexpected turn when the little cutie tumbled down a railway embankment and had to be rescued by locals.

Quite a shock ... The baby elephant was frightened but fortunately not injured.

A BABY elephant walk took an unexpected turn when the little cutie tumbled down a railway embankment and had to be rescued by locals.

The accident happened near a railway track in Goalpara district of Assam state in north east India. A passing train stopped and passengers disembarked to help the animal out of its predicament.

Help at hand ... Locals give food to a baby elephant stuck in a ditch near the railway track at Pancharatna pahar in Assam, India. Picture: Snapper Media

Although the elephant was frightened by its fall, it had not injured itself, and was later helped to safety.

Accidents featuring elephants are not uncommon in India.

In November last year, seven members of a 40-strong herd were killed after a train rammed into them at 80km/h.

That accident, which left one elephant hanging injured from a railway bridge, occurred not too far from Goalpura, in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal state.

Quite a shock ... The baby elephant was frightened but fortunately not injured.