Three killed as truck plunges into gorge

IDUKKI

Three persons from Tamil Nadu were killed when the truck they were travelling in plunged into a 500-foot-deep gorge at Kuttikanam in Idukki district in Kerala.

Subramani of Varusanadu in Theni district was in coconut trade. On Sunday, he had procured coconuts from farmers in Mayiladumparai, Varusanadu and surrounding areas and was taking them in a truck to Kottayam. The truck was driven by Bhoomirajan of Melur in Madurai district. Dinesh of Melur, the cleaner, was also travelling in the truck.

When the truck was nearing Valanjanganam on Kuttikanam Ghat Road in the night, Bhoomirajan lost control of the vehicle, which plunged into the gorge.

Darkness and rain delayed rescue operation. When the rescue team members reached the vehicle, they could only retrieve the bodies of the trio. Peermedu police sent the bodies to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.