Driver dies after girders fall on top of pickup van during construction of elevated highway in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: A driver was killed after girders fell on top of a pickup van during the construction of Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway. The dead is Rajesh of Pallippad in Alappuzha. The accident happened early Thursday morning at 2.30 am in Chandiroor. The body was pulled out after the girder was lifted and took three hours for it.

Two girders weighing 80 tons fell on top of the pickup van. One completely and the other partially fell on the van. While installing the new girders, two that were fitted earlier fell down. The pickup van was carrying eggs from Tamil Nadu. The accident happened while coming to Alappuzha after unloading the load in Ernakulam. Rajesh is not the regular driver of the pickup van. He was called as the regular driver had an emergency. He leaves behind his wife and two children.

Following the accident, traffic restrictions have been imposed in the Aroor-Thuravoor elevated area. Vehicles are not being allowed to pass from Alappuzha to Ernakulam. Vehicles are being diverted from Cherthala X-Ray Junction via Poochakkal. They should turn towards via Arookutty to Alappuzha.