According to an eyewitness, the two tyres, attached to a rim, bounced over his head and knocked down the vulcaniser standing before him. The tyres then bounced off and hit a woman selling food close to the vulcaniser and her daughter.
The witness, who narrowly escaped being hit by the tyres, recounted the events leading up to the accident. "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 directions 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.
After the incident, the witness and other commercial motorcyclists chased after the trailer drivers, who veered into Ataoja Police Station in Osogbo after sensing danger. The driver is now being detained by the police at the station with the vehicle.
Meanwhile, 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 was also said to have been removed by his family.
The tragic incident has once again brought to the fore the issue of road safety in Nigeria. In recent times, there have been several reports of road accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles, reckless driving, and other factors.
Efforts to speak with Osun police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, on the accident were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone were unanswered. However, the police have assured that investigations are ongoing and that the driver of the articulated vehicle will be held accountable for his actions.
In the wake of the accident, the Osun State Government has called on motorists and other road users to be more cautious on the road, especially in built-up areas. The government has also promised to intensify efforts towards ensuring road safety and enforcing traffic regulations in the state.
The tragic death of Bolaji has left his family and friends devastated, and many are calling on the government to do more to protect vulnerable road users like vulcaniser, who often have to work in dangerous conditions. It is hoped that the incident will serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders to take road safety more seriously and work towards making Nigerian roads safer for everyone.