Man dies in auto crash as driver swerves to avoid porcupine

Kozhikode: A 38-year-old man died after an autorickshaw crashed while attempting to avoid a porcupine that suddenly crossed the road at Thoneri, police said on Monday.

The deceased was identified as Rajileesh of Naripatta, who was travelling with his family in the autorickshaw while returning from a marriage function on Sunday night.

According to police, the incident occurred near the Balavadi bus stop at Thoneri when a porcupine suddenly crossed the road.

While attempting to avoid the animal, the autorickshaw driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and crashed, police said.

Rajileesh, his wife and their two children, who were also travelling in the vehicle, were rushed to a nearby hospital. However, Rajileesh succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. The body was handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem examination, officials added.