The incident took place in the early hours today when the lorry, carrying 50 buffaloes, fell into the pit after the lorry driver lost control, police said.
Cattle merchant Nasir, 43, who was travelling in the cabin of the lorry, was crushed to death in the incident, as were 16 of the buffaloes, they said. The lorry was headed to Chitode from Hosur.
The driver and cleaner of the lorry suffered injuries and were admitted to hospital.
Published 21 December 2011, 15:32 IST