Missing lorry found after 30 years in Karimnagar

HYDERABAD: A lorry that went missing, along with three occupants, in a rivulet about 30 years ago near Karimnagar town was finally traced on Saturday. The skeletal remains of the three persons, who were drowned in the Eerukulla Vagu, were also found. The remains were sent to forensic laboratory for DNA analysis to identify the victims.
The Eerukulla Vagu was in spate following heavy rains in 1989.The lorry driver did not gauge the severity of the flood and attempted to cross the stream on the causeway. The vehicle was washed away in the swirling waters. There has been no trace of the lorry in the last three decades. However, a few people noticed a part of the lorry during illegal sand mining in the rivulet. They alerted the police.
Digging was taken up on Friday, but it had to be stopped midway due to heavy rains. Officials resumed digging on Saturday and found skeletal remains inside the lorry cabin. Further digging is on to remove the vehicle.
According to villagers, there were four people in the vehicle when it went missing in the flash floods. The occupants were identified as Dowlat Khan, his brother Maqdoom Khan, residents of Keshapatnam, K Shankar and Venkata Swamy, residents of Karimnagar. One body was found the day after the mishap. The whereabouts of three of the occupants remained a mystery for the last 30 years.
Karimnagar rural police sub-inspector Anjaneyulu took up the digging operation. Local tehsildar Raj Kumar said pieces of clothes worn by the victims were also found.
Based on the clothes, the relatives identified the victims. The remains will be handed over to the relatives after completion of forensic formalities.