Septuagenarian flattened by runaway tyre 'lucky to be alive'

A 77-year-old man had a Christmas surprise of the worst kind after a runaway car tyre burst through a medical clinic window and knocked him to the floor.

Manuel Mendoza and his wife were cleaning the clinic in Houston, Texas when the tyre crashed through the clinic's window just as Mr Mendoza was moving a chair, Click 2 Houston reports.

The tyre eventually came to rest underneath the clinic's Christmas tree.

The man stayed on the floor for a few minutes before sitting up, dazed but with only minor cuts and bruises.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mendoza said his mind went blank until he realised he was bleeding.

"All he remembers [is an] explosion, like when a tank explodes," the interpreter said.

"I am so glad that he's okay," said clinic owner Dr. Joseph Sleiman.

"[Considering] the size of the tire, he is very lucky. I believe because [it is] Christmas, God was here.

"It is a miracle [he is] alive."

Police believe the tire flew off a truck traveling on Gulf Freeway in Texas.

Source: Click 2 Houston