Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Dec 8: A potentially catastrophic incident was narrowly avoided on the national highway near Udupi after a gas bullet tanker driver, allegedly in a drunken state, hurtled down the road without switching on the headlights, endangering numerous motorists.

Witnesses reported that the tanker was being driven in a wildly erratic manner, weaving across lanes and forcing other vehicles to swerve out of its path. “It was sheer luck that no major accident occurred,” said a bystander who observed the chaos unfold.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, a vigilant motorist followed the tanker for several kilometres before managing to bring it to a halt near Ambalpady.

When the vehicle stopped, an angry crowd confronted the driver, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated. The driver, said to be a native of Maharashtra, had “consumed a large quantity of alcohol” before setting off, according to locals present at the scene.

The public detained the inebriated driver and handed him over to the police. It is learnt that some members of the agitated crowd assaulted him prior to his arrest.

Police have taken the driver into custody and initiated further investigation into the incident.