Gas tanker overturns, driver dies

MALAPPUARAM: A man was killed after a gas tanker fell into a 50 feet depth. The incident happened early Friday morning at Edarikode in Chankuvetti on the national highway. A major tragedy was averted as the tanker was empty. The dead has been identified as Manoharan, native of Thiruchirappalli and the driver of the tanker.

The tanker overturned at a canal adjacent to the paddy field below 50 feet from the road. The incident happened when the tanker was going to IOC’s Chelari Plant. Transportation came to a standstill following the accident but by 6 am it was restored.

A small fire broke out following the incident. The fire was doused by the fire force team from Tirur. The local people became active in the rescue operations after knowing that the tanker was empty. Fire force team from Malappuram and Kozhikode units too reached the spot.