Kerala shocker: Coconut plucker falls unconscious on top of tree, gets trapped on climbing machine; dies

KOCHI: A daily wage worker who climbed to pluck coconuts fell unconscious on top of the tree and died at Elamakkara on Monday morning. Unnikrishnan, 49, from Varapuzha, was trapped upside down on the coconut tree climbing machine. Upon receiving intimation from owner Prasad, Gandhinagar fire and rescue services personnel reached the spot and attempted to lower Unnikrishnan from the 42-feet coconut tree using a ladder. Team members Akhil and Hariprasad climbed up and set up crossbars for support. The team also sought the support of personnel from Thrikkakara station. Using a rope rescue equipment, the team managed to bring him down in four hours. He was transported to a hospital by ambulance."Unnikrishnan was not breathing even when he was brought down. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. It is suspected that he might have suffered cardiac arrest while climbing the tree. His body was found hanging on the rope tied to the tree," said a fire force personnel.