Oxygen cylinder falls from moving lorry, explodes and kills KSEB employee In Kannur

Kannur: A 48-year-old Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) employee was killed after an oxygen cylinder fell from a moving mini lorry and exploded on impact at Pappinisseri in Kannur district on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Sreejith, a KSEB employee working in Thaliparamba. He was returning home to Chirakkal on his motorcycle after finishing work when the accident occurred.

According to police, the incident took place around 9 pm near Chungam on the national highway at Pappinisseri. An oxygen cylinder reportedly fell from a mini lorry transporting cylinders and struck Sreejith before exploding.

He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Pappinisseri. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.
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Police investigate how cylinder fell from lorry

Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the cylinder falling from the moving vehicle. A possible explanation is that the lorry's rear door opened while it was in motion, allowing the cylinder to fall onto the road. However, the exact cause has not yet been established.

The Valapattanam police have taken the mini lorry into custody as part of the investigation.

The incident has also raised questions about the safety measures used to secure and transport heavy oxygen cylinders. Allegations have emerged that adequate precautions may not have been taken, though the circumstances are yet to be established by the investigation.