KOTTAYAM: A tipper lorry lost control and overturned after the driver got scared seeing a snake on the gear lever.

The driver of the lorry, KM Thomas, escaped with minor injuries.

The incident took place near Mallikassery Kurishupally on the Pinnakanad Paika route on Monday morning. The lorry was going to Mallikassery from Vilakkumadam with rock powder for house construction. While the driver was trying to change gear, he saw the snake trying to crawl on the gear lever. The lorry went out of control when the driver let go of the steering wheel and tried to force away the snake that was trying to crawl into his lap. The lorry overturned after hitting a compound wall and breaking an electricity post.

The rock powder that was in the lorry was scattered on the road. The front end of the lorry was damaged. Manu, a local resident who heard the sound, immediately informed the Ponkunnam police station. Then the local residents and the police removed the rock powder and the vehicle from the road. As there were no other vehicles on the road at that time, a major accident was avoided.