Two mechanics killed as trucks collide and catch fire in Keralam’s Kannur

Two young mechanics were killed after a cement bulk carrier collided with a timber-laden lorry and caught fire at Mandur on the Pilathara-Pappinisseri KSTP road in Kannur, Keralam, early Monday morning.The deceased have been identified as Ebeniser Anto (24) of Mavungal in Kanhangad, and Muhammad Shebin (22) of Palakkad, who was working as a trainee. Both were working at a showroom in Kanhangad. Shebin had joined the job only four days ago.The accident occurred while the mechanics were attempting to repair the timber lorry, which had been parked on the roadside for the past two days after developing a mechanical fault. The cement bulk carrier, carrying around 50 tonnes of cement, reportedly went out of control and rammed the stationary lorry with great force. The impact caused the lorry to catch fire and it was completely gutted.Shebin, who was near the vehicle, was reportedly thrown onto the road in the impact. He sustained serious injuries and later succumbed after being taken to hospital.Anto became trapped inside the lorry and died after the vehicle caught fire. His body was recovered in a charred condition by firefighters after cutting through the mangled vehicle using a hydraulic cutter.A nearby car was also damaged after a tree fell onto it following the impact.A team from the Payyannur Fire and Rescue Station rushed to the spot and brought the spreading fire under control before beginning the rescue operations. Published - August 24, 2026 11:41 am IST