Kerala: Student's death comes as a shock

Thrissur: The uprooting of the huge ‘matti’ tree, commonly known as ‘tree of heaven,’ leading to the death of  student  S.A. Anusha  on Thursday came as a shock to the students and parents of Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, owned by the Guruvayur Devaswom.

The victim was sitting on the rock near the tree along with the students who were practising recitation of the poem for the D-Zone youth festival being held in the college when the tree came crashing down.

The devaswom managing committee has called a meeting on Friday in a bid to provide safety to the students on the campus. College principal D. Jayaprasad denied  reports that the college management had sent a report to cut this tree earlier citing safety reasons.

The remains of a car that was crushed by the tree on the campus. (Photo: DC)

“The tree was standing on the campus for years and it was uprooted in strong winds,” he said. The body of Anusha, was kept in the college for the teachers and students to pay the last respects on Thursday afternoon.

She is survived by her father Sankaranthadathil Ashokan, mother Sheeja and twin brother Akshay. Cremation will be held at Paramekkavu Shanti Ghat in Thrissur  at 9 am on Friday.