Thrissur: In a tragic incident, a speeding lorry rammed into a group of nomadic people and killed five, including two children, at Nattika here. The accident took place near JK Theatre around 4 am on Tuesday. Seven people were injured in the mishap. Three are in critical condition at the Government Medical College Hospital.

The deceased are Palakkad Govindapuram natives Kaliyappan (50), Nagamma (39), Bangazhi (20),  Jeevan (4) and Vishwa (1). Manorama News reported that the lorry carrying timber was from Kannur. Over 10 people were sleeping along the roadside when the truck, travelling from Kannur to Kochi, veered off course and hit them. 

Police arrested driver Alex (33) from Kannur and the cleaner of the lorry. According to police, the drunk cleaner was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

According to police, the lorry crushed the people after ramming into the nomadic people who were sleeping near the National Highway. They were settled in the area where the road work was underway. Vehicles were not allowed to cross this area due to the work. It is learnt that the accident took place after the lorry driver ignored the diversion board and drove directly to their tent. The speeding lorry also destroyed the barricades placed on the road.

According to witnesses, some of the people were trapped under the lorry. Severed body parts were recovered from the accident scene. Police and natives carried out the rescue operation.