Malappuram: The mini lorry that plunged into a 65-foot-deep water-filled quarry at Oorothum Palliyal in Athavanad here has been retrieved, and the body of Mustafa, who was trapped inside, has been recovered. His body was found inside the cabin of the vehicle. Rescue personnel cut open the mangled cabin to extricate the remains.

The vehicle was lifted from the quarry after nearly seven hours of sustained efforts. Four initial attempts to raise the lorry failed, and it was only on the fifth attempt that it was successfully brought out. The operation was carried out jointly by the Fire and Rescue Services and a scuba diving team. The cabin of the lorry had been completely crushed. Hydraulic cutters were used to dismantle the cabin and recover Mustafa’s body.

The accident occurred at around 2 pm on Friday. Preliminary reports suggest that the vehicle lost control after a brake failure and fell into the quarry. The driver, Jafar, was rescued by local residents soon after the accident. He is believed to have jumped out immediately after the vehicle plunged into the water. He has been admitted to hospital. Mustafa, who died in the incident, was the cleaner of the vehicle.

A Fire and Rescue team from Tirur led the operation. Local residents said the lorry had taken the route near the quarry to avoid heavy traffic in the area due to a temple festival.