Taliparamba (Kannur): A crane operator died after the vehicle overturned while trying to raise a lorry that fell into a field on Thursday morning. The deceased has been identified as M.T. Mustafa (39), residing near Kannapuram railway station. 

The incident happened near a school in Muthukuda, Pattuvam. According to reports, the lorry of a sand mining mafia fell into the depths while passing through a road nearby. To prevent locals from discovering the accident, the lorry owner brought in a crane to raise the lorry. However, the crane collapsed into the depths, killing the operator. 

The lorry was reportedly carrying sand illegally mined from the Kuppam River. Later, the fire force unit came to the scene and rescued Mustafa, who was stuck beneath the overturned crane. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead.