Palakkad (Keralam) | The body of a 40-year-old lorry driver was recovered after nearly 24 hours of search on Friday, after the vehicle he was driving plunged into a water-filled quarry at Karukaputhur here, police said.

The deceased was identified as Abu Thahir C, a native of Chazhiyattiri in Thirumittacode, Palakkad.

The incident occurred around 8 am on Thursday when Thahir reached the non-operational quarry to unload sand, police at the Chalissery police station said.

While reversing, the lorry reached the edge of the quarry and plunged into a water body more than 15 feet deep, formed following quarrying activities, they said.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel launched a search for Thahir and the lorry around 8.30 am on Thursday.

Though scuba divers from the Fire and Rescue Services team carried out a search, they could locate the lorry only by evening.

During a late-night operation, the lorry was pulled out of the water using a heavy crane. However, Thahir could not be found inside the vehicle's cabin, police said.

A subsequent search by the scuba diving team led to the recovery of his body around 7.30 am on Friday, officials said.

Police said Thahir was a Gulf returnee and was working as a lorry driver.

The body will be handed over to his relatives after the postmortem examination, police said.

Chalissery police have registered a case into the incident, officials added.