Kannur: Five people, including a boy, were killed in a collision involving a car and a lorry at Punnachery in Kannapuram, Kannur Monday night. The deceased have been identified as K N Padmakumar (59), a native of Kalichanadukkam, Bheemanadi-native Choorikkatt Sudhakaran (52), his wife Ajitha (35), father-in-law Kozhummal Krishnan (65) and Ajitha's nephew Akash (nine).

Padmakumar was driving the car when the accident occurred around 10.15 pm. Four people were declared dead on the spot while the child's death was confirmed at the Pariyaram Medical College Hospital. The driver of the lorry, carrying gas cylinders, suffered injuries in the accident.

The car was travelling in the direction of Kasaragod from Thalassery. People trapped inside the car were retrieved with the help of personnel from the Fire Force and Police. The front portion of the car including the bonnet was underneath the lorry when the police arrived.

Sudhakaran and family were returning home after dropping his son Saurav at a hostel in Kozhikode, after gaining admission for CA.
The police have taken two lorries into custody. Motor Vehicle Department authorities also arrived at the site.