This is the heart-stopping moment a mechanic narrowly avoided being killed by an exploding lorry tyre while inflating it.

CCTV footage shows the bare-chested worker Master Shen leaning over the massive wheel inside the repair shop in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

As he moved in closer to seemingly disconnect the air hose, the rubber suddenly exploded, sending it shooting dozens of feet into the air in a cloud of smoke.

The wheel passed just inches from Master Shen's face as he instinctively jumped back, narrowly escaping the blast.

The object then slammed back to the ground, and Master Shen quickly ran from the danger zone, avoiding serious injury.

Master Shen later explained that the suspected cause of the explosion was a deformed wheel rim on July 4.

He said: 'It was fitted by a helper - the steel rim was out of shape, but he went ahead and installed it anyway. In the end, it nearly sent me to the grave.

'Luckily, I got out of it safe and sound!'