A man in his 60s was killed instantly yesterday when he was hit by a flying wheel from an articulated lorry on the outskirts of Limerick.
The accident happened as he was walking at Ballybrown near the village of Clarina on the Foynes Road shortly after 4 p.m.
It is understood that a double wheel axle became detached from the lorry and that the wheel which flew off struck the pedestrian and killed him instantly.
The driver continued his journey towards Limerick city, apparently unaware that the wheel had come off the vehicle, which was carrying a steel load.
He was later flagged down and stopped by gardaí near Galvone on the south-side of Limerick city, some three miles away.
The victim was named locally as Mr Vincent Byrnes of Clarina, a bachelor.
Investigating gardaí described yesterday's incident as a tragic accident.
They confirmed last night that a man was helping them with their inquiries at Roxboro Garda Station.
"We are also appealing to anyone who was in the Ballybrown/Clarina area yesterday and who may have witnessed this tragic accident to contact us at Roxboro Garda Station," said a garda spokesman.
Mr Byrnes was taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
