A terrifying moment caught on an onboard camera shows what appears to be a set of wheels breaking away from a moving truck trailer before narrowly missing a passing car.
The rear-facing camera captures the truck travelling along the road when the wheels suddenly separate from the trailer.
The loose wheels then continue moving at speed alongside the truck before veering away from the vehicle and across the road.
A car travelling nearby appears to have a very close call as the wheels pass dangerously close to it before eventually leaving the roadway.
The exact location and date of the incident are not known, and there is currently no information about what caused the wheels to separate from the trailer.
It is also not clear whether the failure involved the wheel assembly, axle, bearings, wheel fasteners or another mechanical component. The video alone does not provide enough information to determine the cause.
What is clear, however, is the danger posed to other road users.
A wheel or wheel assembly separating from a heavy vehicle travelling at speed can effectively become a projectile, potentially travelling well away from the truck and into the path of unsuspecting motorists.
Watch: Intense Runaway Truck Wheels Video Goes Viral
The incident is another reminder of the importance of proper inspections and maintenance of heavy vehicles, particularly wheels, hubs, bearings, fasteners and other running-gear components.
For truck drivers, a few minutes spent checking the rig before hitting the road could potentially prevent a much more serious incident.
The video serves as a frightening reminder that when something goes wrong on a heavy vehicle, the danger can extend far beyond the truck itself.
The latest SA Trucking News straight to your inbox!
