Free Fuel Promotion Descends into Traffic Mayhem in Melbourne's West
Chaos erupted on the streets of Melbourne's western suburbs on Friday morning as drivers flocked in droves to a free fuel giveaway, creating massive traffic jams that ultimately required police intervention to manage the escalating situation. The event, organized by Billy Beasley of the rewards club RS Rewards, was held at the Liberty petrol station on Leakes Rd in Truganina, promising up to $200 worth of free fuel per customer, with strict rules prohibiting the use of jerry cans to prevent hoarding.
Early Morning Queues and Overwhelming Turnout
Despite the scheduled start time of 10am, the scene turned chaotic hours earlier, with Beasley capturing the frenzy in an Instagram video posted around 8am. In the footage, he expressed astonishment at the sheer number of vehicles, noting that some motorists had arrived as early as 4am to secure their spot. "We've got cars everywhere. This is crazy, I didn't expect this many people," Beasley remarked, highlighting the unexpected scale of the turnout that quickly overwhelmed the local area.
Police Step In to Control Influx of Vehicles
By mid-morning, the situation had intensified, with Beasley estimating that over 1,000 cars were parked around the block, forming lengthy lines that snaked through the neighborhood. In a subsequent video update, he revealed that Victoria Police had arrived on the scene to assist with traffic control, stating, "The police arrived, they're helping us out and I think we've got everything under control." However, the congestion on Leakes Rd proved too severe, leading authorities to establish several hazards due to the increased traffic and engage directly with event organizers to find a safer alternative.
Event Shutdown and Voucher Distribution
Approximately an hour after the giveaway was officially set to begin, Beasley announced that the promotion had been shut down prematurely. To compensate the hundreds of drivers who had queued for hours, he and his team distributed free fuel vouchers that could be used at a later date. Reflecting on the cancellation, Beasley expressed disappointment but noted that a significant amount of fuel had already been dispensed. "It's a shame the event had to be cancelled so early, but we managed to give away a lot of fuel. Free fuel Friday, hopefully we can do another one," he said, hinting at future initiatives.
Police Response and Ongoing Monitoring
Victoria Police confirmed their involvement, stating that officers arrived at the petrol station around 7.30am to help direct traffic. A spokesperson explained, "Leakes Rd became congested following a promotion at a service station where it's understood free fuel was being handed out. Organisers worked with police and established an alternative way to run the promotion, which is understood to be in the form of vouchers." Following the event's cancellation, four police units remained stationed at the location to manage the residual traffic and ensure public safety in the area. RS Rewards has been contacted for further comment on the incident and any potential future promotions.
