The late Tungi Olatungi Terrified pupils looked on in horror when a 14-year-old boy was hit by an articulated truck after been blown off the footpath by gale force wind while walking to school in Tralee. In one of the most tragic accidents of the year the youth was killed after becoming entangled in the back wheels of the truck. The incident occurred near the level crossing just above Clash roundabout in Tralee. According to gardai, it appears the youth, who was wheeling a bicycle at the time may have tripped or been blown off the footpath before being hit by the back wheels of the lorry. The driver of the lorry involved in the tragic accident continued driving because it appears he was unaware that the youth had been blown onto his path. Investigating gardai subsequently examined trucks in the Clash area and appealed for the driver of an articulated lorry with a white/yellow cab, drawing a 40ft flat trailer, to come forward. It is understood that the driver - who is believed to be from Cork - came forward in Friday evening and was questioned about he incident and, according to gardai, no charges are being brought. It is understood that a number of people witnessed the horrific incident, among them fellow students of the youth who have been left devastated. The youth was named as Tungi Nicholas Rilwan Olatunji and wad a 2nd year student at Tralee Community College. He is understood to have been in Ireland for more than two years and had integrated well into the community. The youth was immediately taken to Kerry General Hospital where he was pronounced dead and a post-mortem was carried out. Tungi was laid to rest at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, where hundreds of students gathered to say a final farewell. Tungi was described by friends and teachers as a happy and likable boy who always had a smile on his face. A keen sportsman, Tungi played football and basketball with the school's teams and also played football and hurling with Austin Stacks. Principal of Tralee Community College, Billy Curtain, said he was a fantastic student and was well liked by everyone. "He was an outstanding goalkeeper and was a wonderful student who had an inquisitive mind and really valued education," he said. "He had really embraced the culture here and had settled well into the school." Tungi is survived by his mother Morayo, father Olatunji and three younger brothers and sisters - Bolaji, Kunle and Mosope. Courtesy of The Kerryman 17 November 2005 Tweet

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