A 75-year-old man died after his head was trapped in a customized lift at his house near Kadammanitta here on Wednesday (July 8, 2026).The deceased has been identified as Mathukutty, 75, a retired KSRTC employee and resident of Kallelimukku.According to officials, the accident occurred in a specially built lift that was installed two years ago to help the elderly couple access their hilltop residence from the roadside. The house is located around 20 feet above the road level and the lift had been erected adjacent to the car porch near the entrance gate to avoid climbing nearly 20 to 30 steps.When Mathukutty entered the lift, a loud noise was heard. His wife rushed outside and found him trapped inside the lift with his head caught between the iron frame. She tried to force open the lift door using a machete but was unsuccessful, following which the Fire and Rescue Services were alerted.The fire force officials managed to extricate him and took him to hospital, but his life could not be saved.Preliminary findings suggest that a power outage may have caused the lift to stop midway. Officials suspect that when power supply was restored, the lift resumed movement suddenly, trapping his head between the iron frame and causing fatal injuries. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation.Officials said the lift resembled a construction-site hoist and had been enclosed externally with polycarbonate sheets, but without a protective covering. Investigators are examining whether the absence of adequate internal safety barriers contributed to the accident. Officials learnt that Mathukutty had previously injured one of his hands in the lift.The police have registered a case and launched an investigation. The body has been shifted for post-mortem examination.He is survived by his wife, while their sons are employed abroad. Published - July 08, 2026 06:15 pm IST