Child, 3 killed as tipper rams auto in Payyannur

KANNUR: Five people, including four in a family, died in a freak road mishap here at Kunnaru in Payyannur when a tipper lorry rammed into an auto and then onto a goods auto selling fish. The incident happened around 4.30 p.m. The deceased persons have been identified as Ganesan (38), his wife Lalitha (36), daughter Lishna (7), his brother’s daughter Aaradhya (3) and Devaki (72), a pedestrian.  Auto travelers V.P Sreejith, his wife Asha, Ganeshan’s sister Athira and goods auto driver Anil Kumar are injured and admitted in Pariyaram Medical College.

According to Payyannur police, the tipper lorry was in over speed and first hit Ganesan’s auto. After hitting the auto, the lorry lost control and hit the nearby goods auto. Ganesan is a native of Ramanthali Vadakkumbhagam. Ganesan, Lalitha and Aaradhya died on the spot along with Devaki, who was standing near the goods auto. His daughter Lishna succumbed to injuries in the hospital after four hours. Devaki is from Ramanthali Kunnaru. Unconfirmed sources said that the driver of the tipper lorry was under the influence of alcohol. He is presently under police custody. Payyannur police has registered a case.