Truck plunges into water-filled quarry, one dead

Kozhikode: The cleaner of a truck was killed after the vehicle plunged into a water-filled abandoned quarry at Athavanad in Malappuram on Friday.The deceased was identified as Musthafa (43), of Kunnathodi, Melmuri in Malappuram. The driver, Jafar, a native of Chattiparamba, and cleaner were in the vehicle when the mishap took place. The mini truck, transporting grocery items from a private wholesale establishment in Kodoor to retail shops, met with the accident around 1pm at the Spinning Mill Road junction near Ooroth Palliyal in Athavanad.The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and it plunged into a deep water-filled quarry nearby. The driver jumped into the water and locals rescued him. He was admitted to a private hospital in Valanchery.Musthafa, however, was trapped inside the truck's cabin, which sank into the water.Fire and rescue personnel from Tirur, a scuba team and locals tried for hours to retrieve the vehicle but were unsuccessful. Later, a heavy crane from a national highway construction company was brought in. After prolonged efforts, the truck was lifted out around 8pm.A fire force personnel was injured during the rescue operation and admitted to a private hospital in Valanchery. Musthafa's body was recovered after cutting open the truck's cabin, which remained submerged for nearly seven hours. The body was shifted to Manjeri medical college hospital mortuary and will be handed over to relatives after postmortem procedures.Musthafa is survived by his wife Suhaila and children, Shamil and Fathima Rida.