Ottapalam: A 30-year-old man was killed in a road accident here, reportedly after a lorry swerved to avoid a pothole and collided with a motorcycle. The accident occurred on the road beyond the Kanniyapuram bridge.

Sanoop (30), a resident of Jainimede, Palakkad, was riding pillion on the motorcycle when the accident occurred. He died on the spot.

Sanoop's friend, Sanjay (29), who was riding the motorcycle, sustained serious injuries. He was admitted to a private hospital in Kanniyapuram.

According to preliminary information, the two were travelling from Shornur towards Palakkad when their bike collided with the lorry. The lorry had reportedly swerved to avoid a pothole, resulting in the collision. This is the second accident linked to potholes on the same stretch in three weeks.

Earlier, an auto-rickshaw had lost control while swerving to avoid a pothole in the same area and hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered critical injuries and is still under treatment.

The repeated accidents have raised concerns about the road's condition and the lack of timely action to repair the potholes.