In an appalling yet bizarre incident, a 35-year-old Sulur resident, who drank hand sanitizer to get high, passed away on Saturday.

Police identified him as E Bernard of Siruvani Tank Road. “He was working as an LPG cylinder delivery boy and was addicted to alcohol. Two days ago, his employer had given him a bottle of hand sanitizer and advised him to use it to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bernard, who could not buy liquor due to the lockdown, added some water to the alcohol-based hand sanitizer and drank it. He was rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) after experiencing breathing trouble on Saturday around 2 am. But he could not be saved,” a police officer said.

Bernard is survived by his wife B Priya and three daughters.

The country is currently witnessing lockdown in order to curb the coronavirus outbreak which is also all set to be extended for two weeks.

This is not the first time an incident related to alcohol amid the lockdown has taken place. As the liquor shops are shut, Coronavirus lockdown: Criminals barge into shops and home to steal liquor, sells for high price