Lorry accident in Athavanad: Cleaner found dead inside cabin, body recovered

MALAPPURAM: The body of Musthafa, the cleaner who went missing after a lorry fell into a water-filled quarry, was recovered from the vehicle’s cabin. The accident took place at a quarry in Athavanad near Kuttippuram. The lorry was pulled out of the water after a rescue operation that lasted nearly seven hours. Musthafa’s body was retrieved only after rescuers cut open the cabin.

The lorry, belonging to Malayil Food Products, met with the accident around 1 pm on Friday at Ooroth Palliyal. The driver, Jaffer, a native of Chattipparamba, jumped into the water at the time of the accident and was rescued by locals. He has been admitted to a hospital in Valanchery with serious spinal injuries. Musthafa, who was trapped inside the lorry that sank into the deep quarry water, was reported missing. Search operations were carried out by the Fire and Rescue Services, a scuba team, swimming experts, and the police.

Attempts to pull the lorry out of the water failed three times before it was finally recovered. Musthafa’s body was later shifted to Manjeri Medical College Hospital. The accident happened after the driver lost control of the lorry. The vehicle overturned into a water-filled pit filled with waste and plastic. Locals said accidents are frequent in the area near the quarry.