People from several villages in Papua New Guinea's highlands have gone on a massive drinking binge, after looting a truck carrying thousands of cartons of beer.

Police say a truck carrying 4,000 cartons of beer worth around $150,000 ran off a road in Chimbu province yesterday.

The driver was unhurt but local villagers flocked to the site, ripped open the trailer and looted the beer.

Superintendent Joseph Tondop told the National newspaper his officers had to disperse crowds of drunks who had gathered on the road to harass passers-by.

Another eyewitness told the paper almost everyone from three nearby villages was intoxicated.

Superintendent Tondop said he hopes common sense will return when everyone sobers up today.