A 65-year-old man was killed and two others were injured when a massive ficus tree came crashing on them at Maruthankuzhi on Wednesday around 10.30 a.m. In a related incident, an aerial lift used to trim the branches of a tree adjacent to the one that got uprooted broke down injuring two casual labourers employed by the Kerala State Electricity Board.
The deceased Manian, a resident of Maruthankuzhi, was sitting inside his petty shop when the majestic ficus situated near the boundary wall of the Lower Primary School there fell on him. Manian was also engaged by local residents to perform puja in the makeshift temple located near the uprooted tree.
The injured, Anil and Podian, both residents of Maruthankuzhi, were at the shop when the incident occurred.
Rafel, station officer of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Department, said when firemen reached the spot around 11 a.m., they found Manian’s body under the huge trunk. The injured were taken to the Government Medical College Hospital here and their condition is stated to be stable.
Vehicles damaged
A mini truck and a motorbike got damaged in the incident.
It took more than three hours for the fire and rescue personnel from Kattakkada, Chakka and Chenkalchoola stations to remove the tree from the vicinity.
A local resident said the tree had shown signs of disintegration and some of its branches had started falling off.
The crane used to cut the branches of a ficus, which stood close to the uprooted tree, crashed injuring two workers, Rajendran and Mahesh.
The condition of Rajendran, a resident of Vazhottukonam, is stated to be “very critical.” He underwent surgery for head and neck injuries at the MCH.
Minister for Health V. S Sivakumar and Member of the Legislative Assembly K. Muraleedharan visited the spot.
The government had announced a compensation of Rs.10,000 to the family of the deceased and Rs.5,000 each to the injured persons, the Minister said in a release.
