Two mechanics were burnt to death after a mixer lorry crashed into a truck they were repairing at Mandoor in Kannur’s Pilathara in the early hours of Monday. The collision triggered a fire in the cabins of both vehicles, complicating the rescue operation.

The deceased have been identified as Ebinesar Anto (24), a native of Kanhangad, Kasaragod, and Muhammad Shebin (22), a native of Palakkad.

The accident occurred around 3.30 am. The truck (KL 60 1675), which was carrying timber, had broken down two days ago and had been parked at Mandoor since then.

The two deceased, authorised mechanics of BharatBenz, had arrived the previous night and were repairing the vehicle when the mixer lorry (TN 48 AV 5199), travelling in the opposite direction, crossed the lane and crashed into the parked truck.

“The mixer driver apparently lost control of the vehicle, crossed the lane and crashed into the parked truck,” an officer from Pariyaram police station said. The truck had been headed towards Mangaluru when it broke down, while the mixer lorry was travelling towards Pazhayangadi from Pilathara.

The mechanics' service vehicle was also damaged in the accident. An electric pole was destroyed, and the compound wall of Mandur Valiya Juma Masjid was also affected.

Truck owner Zubair of Cheemeni, who was nearby monitoring the repair work, alerted the authorities following the collision. His car, which was parked immediately behind the truck, was also destroyed. Zubair and the truck driver narrowly escaped.

Following the crash, one of the mechanics was immediately rushed to Pariyaram Medical College, while the other was trapped inside the truck’s cabin.

Firefighters from the Payyannur Fire Station reached the spot and brought the flames under control before rescuing the trapped mechanic. “He had suffered severe burns and succumbed to his injuries at the spot,” a fire officer said. His body was subsequently shifted to Pariyaram Medical College.

The mixer lorry driver, Vimal (26), a native of Idukki, managed to escape from the vehicle immediately after the crash. He suffered minor injuries and has been admitted to Pariyaram Medical College, officials said.

The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. Police have launched an investigation.
The bodies of the two mechanics have been kept at Pariyaram Medical College. An inquest and postmortem examination will be conducted, after which the bodies will be handed over to their respective families.