Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 22: A tanker carrying diesel to Bhadravathi from the city hurtled down a 200-feet gorge near Lord Annappa temple on Charmadi Ghat section of the road. The driver of the vehicle, Lokesh, who hails from the city, has suffered injuries to his legs and head.

The tanker tumbled into the roadside gorge at around Thursday midnight. Some passersby gave this information to the locals at Kottigehara. Policemen of Banakal station and locals went to the spot and rescued driver, Lokesh. He was treated at Moodigere hospital before sending him back to Mangaluru.

District fire officer, Devaraj, officer of the taluk fire brigade, Puppe Gowda and others worked to rescue the driver who had got stuck about 200 feet deep.

In the meantime, diesel continues to leak from the fallen tanker. As a precaution, fire brigade has been stationed at the spot. As the tanker has fallen in a narrow terrain, bringing it out has become a challenge. Thousands of litres of diesel has already leaked out of the tanker and the remaining diesel has to be pumped out into another tanker before the tanker can be lifted, officials said.