One pilgrim has been killed and another was seriously injured when a tree, uprooted in heavy rain, fell on pilgrims at Marakkoottom on the Pampa-Sabarimala trekking path around 2.30 am on Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Reghuveera Reddy, 32, from Medak district in Telengana. Mr. Reddy, who was fatally trapped under the fallen tree, died on the spot. The injured person, Bheemayya from Medak, has been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kottayam.
Later, the Forest Department personnel cleared the path by cutting the fallen tree.
Sabarimala was witnessing such an accident for the first time while similar incidents had occurred earlier at Valiyanavattom and Appachimedu.