Pattinson narrowly escapes being crushed by elephant

The 24-year-old actor, who stars alongside Reese Witherspoon in the film was almost rolled on by a huge grey elephant called Rosie, whilst trying to give her a bath, reported National Enquirer magazine.

"The script called for the elephant to step forward while swinging her trunk from side to side, but Rosie got her signals mixed up. Instead, she sat down on her big butt, lifted her front legs - then rolled over.

"Before anyone could react, Robert slid right down the elephant's back. It could have been a disaster if she'd rolled over on him - but he got lucky, landing face first in a pile of dirt and mud. He was filthy, but unharmed," said a source.

Although he narrowly escaped serious injury, Pattinson quickly got up to the amusement of his co-stars and crew members. "Everyone on the set cracked up - especially Reese, who was laughing so hard she couldn't catch her breath," said the source. "I'm just glad she didn't roll on top of me!" Pattinson told the people on the set.