Wrapped only in a sheet the man got out of bed, unplugged his tubes, marched out of the hospital, eluding security, and found the nearest liquor store. Picture: Sayanogorsk.info

The unnamed man came round in the Intensive Care ward after surgery and demanded a beer from nurses. Naturally, they refused.

So wrapped only in a sheet the man got out of bed, unplugged his tubes, marched out of the hospital, eluding security, and found the nearest liquor store, called Starik Khottabych, at Sayanogorsk in the Republic of Khakassia.

Reports do not record the chief nurse's words to him when he was returned to Intensive Care. Pictures: Sayanogorsk.info

Shocked staff called the police rather than sell him beer. He was rapidly returned to hospital.

Reports do not record the chief nurse's words to him when he was returned to Intensive Care.

But the hospital is reviewing its security which was supposed to be on high alert because of a flu epidemic in the region.