Migrant labourer crushed to death as excavator overturns in Pathanamthitta

A migrant labourer died on Sunday after he got stuck under an excavator that overturned at a mining site in Paivazhi, Pathanamthitta. According to Elavumthitta police station officials, the deceased has been identified as Sooraj (24), a native of Bihar. He worked as an assistant to the operator. The operator had gone for lunch when Sooraj reportedly tried to run the excavator. He lost control, and the excavator overturned. Though Sooraj tried to jump off the excavator, he got crushed under the machine. 

 Fire and rescue service personnel from Chengannur received the call around noon. When the fire safety team reached the spot, Sooraj was already dead. An earth-mover, which was available at the site, was used to lift a part of the excavator, and Sooraj's body was retrieved. His body has been kept at a hospital in Kozhencheri. 

According to Kulanada grama panchayat president Chithira C Chandran, one more labourer sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. He was standing beside the excavator when it overturned. 

Chithra alleged that the earth was being transported from the Kadalikunnu hill in the guise of National Highway construction works. Locals have been protesting against the mining activities for the past 22 days, she added.

She alleged that a police officer from the Elavumthitta station reached the site of the accident in an intoxicated state. The officer ran away after locals blocked the police vehicle, she added.