PUNALUR: A mini lorry returning from a construction site in Ottakkal slipped down into a 200 feet deep canal, killing two people. Five other people were injured in the accident. Kollam native Jishnu(32) and Karunagappally native Babu(55) were the victims. Karunagappally native Pramodh is seriously injured in the crash.

The incident happened yesterday at noon 2:30 pm. The lorry was passing through the Ottakkal railway station premise, near the Kallada irrigation canal. When it took a steep turn near the Urukkunu church, the driver Bastian lost control which made the heavy vehicle with seven workers and machines slip down into the depths colliding with green lushes and trees.

The sound of the crash alerted the locals who turned with help. The vehicle was brought up in ropes and the workers trapped under the lorry were rushed to hospitals. However, two of them died midway through the hospital journey. Thenmala police and Fireforce also joined in rescue operations. Jishnu is survived by his wife and two young children.