Bird-brained they may be, but thousands of fluffy baby chicks were thinking straight when they made a desperate bid for freedom from their transport lorry.
The chirping little bundles of feathers were looted from an overturned farmer’s truck by villagers following an accident that covered the road in a yellow mass.
The vehicle was carrying more than 10,000 chicks to a poultry farm in the city of Binzhou, in east China’s Shandong Province, when its driver lost control.
The vehicle crashed sideways into the highway barrier, which sent dozens of boxes in its trailer flying onto the road, releasing thousands of chicks in the process.
READ MORE
Coast hospital admits 750 victims of road accidents every month
Road safety advocates call for good roads, law enforcement
While the truck driver did not suffer any major injuries, he was unable to contain the animals and had to wait for police assistance.
However, nearby villagers who witnessed the crash rushed to the scene and began collecting the chicks in boxes and wash basins, taking the young birds home for themselves.
Reports said even passing drivers stopped their vehicles to join in, picking up chickens by the dozens while the helpless driver watched on.
Arriving police were also unable to stop the unlawful citizens, who fled almost as soon as they had arrived after grabbing handfuls of chicks.
According to the trucker, the stolen chicks were worth at least £4,9000.
Netizens on Chinese social media were quick to criticise the immoral actions of the looters, as it was not the first time looting had occurred following an accident.
Large quantities of fruits and other commodities have been reportedly stolen right in front of the eyes of unfortunate truck drivers who crashed their vehicles under similar circumstances in the past.
