A tanker lorry carrying refined sunflower oil met with an accident near Villupuram on Sunday triggering an oil rush among the local residents. Police officials had to use mild force to disperse the crowd after people started collecting the cooking oil that poured out of the vehicle.
According to police, Jayabal was behind the wheel of a tanker lorry carrying 16,000 litres of refined sunflower oil from Chennai to Madurai. The driver lost control of the vehicle while taking a right turn on the Chennai-Tiruchy by-pass road at Vazhudareddy hamlet near Villupuram. The driver sustained injuries and was sent to the Villupuram government hospital.
Amidst the commotion, villagers of the nearby hamlet gathered at the spot and started collecting the sunflower oil that was pouring out of outlets that had been broken in the accident.
Police asked the people to leave the spot, but they did not heed the warnings and more people gathered. People were seen collecting oil in large vessels, plastic cans and bottles. Finally, a police team under Villupuram taluk inspector Thangam had to use mild force to disperse the crowd. Later, the lorry was put on its wheels using a crane and the oil was then shifted to another tanker under police security.