A vulcaniser identified as Bolaji was killed on Saturday after loose stray tyres from an articulated vehicle knocked him down in front of his vulcaniser stand in the Fakunle Area of Osogbo, Osun.

The accident, which occurred at about 7:00 a.m., left many sympathisers traumatised, as the head of the deceased was reportedly broken by the impact of the tyres.

A witness, fortunate to have escaped being knocked down by the tyres, explained that the two tyres, attached to a rim, bounced over his head and knocked down the vulcaniser standing before him.

He said the tyres bounced off after hitting the vulcaniser to knock down a woman selling food close to the vulcaniser and her daughter.

“My friend Murphy and I were gisting with the vulcaniser, where he was brushing his teeth with a chewing stick, before a woman travelling to Ore/Ondo called him for directions.

“While giving direction to the woman, the tyres flew off the vehicle, knocked him down and killed him instantly.

“If he had not gone to attend to the woman, he would not have been hit by the tyres,” he said.

The witness and other commercial motorcyclists later chased after the trailer drivers, who veered into Ataoja Police Station in Osogbo after sensing danger.

It is reported that the driver is now being detained by the police at the station with the vehicle.

However, the other two persons knocked down by the tyres were taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where they are reported to be recuperating and treated.

The vulcaniser’s corpse is also said to have been removed by his family.

Efforts to speak with Osun police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, on the accident were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were unanswered.

(NAN)