Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Jun 28: In a tragic accident which occurred at Odabai in the outskirts of the town on Monday June 27 afternoon, a roadside tree directly fell on a moving truck. In this incident the driver died on the spot, whereas the cleaner survived with serious injuries.

The truck was moving to the town from Puttur, and was passing through Odabai area when a huge jackfruit tree fell on its cabin. Driver of the truck, Muhammed, who got stuck inside the cabin, died. Cleaner of the truck, Sawad, suffered injuries. Locals admitted Sawad immediately to hospital from where he was taken to Mangaluru as he was found to be in need of advanced treatment.

Muhammed hailed from Pallathur in Kasargod district, and the cleaner happens to be his brother.

When the tree fell, it dragged with it electric cables. Four electric poles too got uprooted as a result. It is gathered that another person, who too was accommodated inside the cabin of the truck, had got down at Paichar some distance earlier and hence had a providential escape.

A person named Sundar, who was selling jackfruits under the ill-fated tree could save his life as he sensed the danger upon hearing the sounds made by the tree and ran away to safety. It is said that he also signalled the truck driver about the impending danger, but the driver could not control the truck immediately as he was moving at considerable speed. The driver of KSRTC bus which was behind the truck however, stopped the bus after seeing frantic signals being made by Sundar.

JCB had to be used to bring out the driver's body and move the vehicle aside besides shifting the fallen tree. Traffic on highway was suspended for about an hour as a result. MLA, Angara, and several other dignitaries visited the spot.