In a fatal mishap on Wednesday, Sunny Francis (65), managing partner of Pavithra Gold and resident of Vetti Padi Pulickal, Ambalakkavala, lost his life when a lift malfunctioned at the building housing his jewellery store in Kattappana.

The incident happened around 12:30 pm when the lift, initially halted due to a power outage, suddenly surged upwards at high speed and stopped abruptly on the fourth floor. This unexpected movement caused severe injuries to Sunny inside the lift.

Despite immediate rescue attempts, firefighters had to forcibly open the lift doors to reach him. Sunny was found bleeding heavily and was rushed to a private hospital in Kattappana, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Sunny is survived by his wife Shiji, children Sneha, Sandra, Sanal, and Sanu, and son-in-law Dominic. The funeral rites will commence from his residence and proceed to St George Forane Church, Kattappana, on Friday.

This heartbreaking accident has left the local community in shock and grief.