By OLAJIDE IDOWU

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that 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.

An eyewitness, who was lucky 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, who was standing in front of him.

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

“I and my friend Murphy were jisting with the vulcaniser, where he was brushing his teeth with a chewing stick, before a woman that was traveling to Ore/Ondo called him for direction.

“It was while giving direction to the woman that the tyres flew off from 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.

NAN learnt that 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, had been taken to Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where they are reported to be recuperating and treated.

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

Efforts to speak with Osun Police Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, on the accident, were unsuccessful as calls made to her phone were unanswered. (NAN)

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