Mechanics die following Tyre Burst

Three mechanics were on Tuesday afternoon killed after a truck tyre burst in their garage in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

Confirming the incident, the  Athi River Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), David  Mukugha said the three mechanics whose workshop is located near the Mulley's Supermarket along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa road were repairing the rim of a long haulage trailer when the tyre which was still inflated burst killing the two men on the spot and injuring four others seriously. One of the injured later died while undergoing treatment at the  Shalom Community Hospital.

"There  was a big explosion yesterday which at first people thought was a gas explosion at the Mulley's Supermarket since it emanated from near the premises. But it later turned out that the blast was an explosion from a burst tyre at the Softing garage where mechanics were trying to weld the rim of a truck. The explosion from the tire killed the two mechanics on the spot and seriously injured four others who were nearby," he said.

Mukhugha  is now warning mechanics against carrying out welding work on rims of inflated tyres terming the practice as sheer suicide.

He has urged them to be deflating the tubes first before undertaking any repairs on such tyres as this would minimize chances of accidents.

Source: The Standard